Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) - “We have returned to normal life. The situation is calm and there are no demonstrations in favor or against the new government,” Fides was told by a source from Radio Don Bosco, the largest Catholic Radio in Madagascar, a country that has been experiencing a political crisis for 3 months and that has concluded with the resignation of President Marc Ravalomanana.
The President announced his resignation on March 17, conferring his powers to a military leadership led by Vice-Admiral Ramaroson Raharison Hyppolite.
The leadership team would be in charge of organizing the so-called “national assemblies,” general dialogues open to all the powers in the country, as well as the modification of the Constitution and the electoral law, and the organization of the elections in 24 months.
Shortly prior to the announcement, the military called the generals who would form a part of the team. Just hours later, in an official statement, Vice-Admiral Ramaroson Raharison Hyppolite announced that he would be ceding all his powers to Andry Rajoelina, the main opponent of Ravalomanana. The formal handing-on of powers was officiated by Norbert Lala Ratsirahonana, former President of the Republic, former Prime Minister, and member of the Constitutional High Court.
The African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), of which Madagascar is member, condemned this handing-on of powers, affirming that Madagascar had suffered a coups d'etat. The country has now been prohibited participation in these two organizations. “From an internal point of view, it is hard to call it a coups d'etat, because the passing of powers from Ravalomanana to the military team, and from them to Rajoelina, was all approved by the Constitutional Court,” Fides sources say. “It seems that the issue goes beyond the borders of Madagascar, as the various African leaders fear that the same will happen to them. We will have to wait and see the position of the international community in tomorrow's ceremony for the presentation of the President ad interim, in the capital city of Antananarivo. We will see the various representatives from the diplomatic corps, and thus, what countries are involved.”
“An indication of the international relations with the new powers on the island could imply two facts. Firstly, Rajoelina met with the new French Ambassador who recently arrived in Madagascar after a long period of absence. The second is the large staff reduction that has taken place in the US Embassy, which has sent the majority of its personnel out of the country for security reasons. The citizens are wondering why the situation is once more calm,” Fides sources noted.
“The African Union is demanding that elections take place in 6 months, instead of 24 months, as Rajoelina had stated, however this seems impossible because the entire administration has to get back up on its feet after months of crisis. There are still contracts from the previous administration with various foreign multi-nationals. The new government has promised to revise the contracts , but they have also wished to assure foreign investors that they can continue operating in the country. We have learned that the exploitation activity in the mines has continued in spite of the political crisis. The only thing that has suffered is tourism, although this is normally a low-tourist season,” the sources conclude. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 20/3/2009)
