Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) - "Madagascar is preparing for Easter celebrations in calm, despite yesterday's incidents," Fides was told by an editor from Don Bosco Radio in Antananarivo. On March 29, the commemorations of the uprising of 1947 (when Madagascar was still a French colony), were marked by protests by supporters of the so-called three "mouvances" which refer to the three former Presidents, Marc Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsiraka, and Albert Zafy.
"The opposition demonstrators booed the President of the Transitional Authority, Andry Rajoelina, as they went to lay a wreath at the war memorial dedicated to those who fell in the insurrection of 1947. Stones were hurled at the interreligious choir that was singing at the ceremony. Overall, however, it was not a particularly disturbing episode," says the source of Fides.
On March 17, the African Union imposed sanctions against Rajoelina and a hundred members of his government. The sanctions include the denial of visas (and thus the prohibition of travel abroad), blocking accounts held in foreign banks, and the rejection of credit. The sanctions were decided after the expiration of ultimatum launched by the AU to make Rajoelina apply the agreements in Maputo and Addis Ababa, signed in 2009, providing for power sharing among the 4 malagasy "mouvances" (the three of the opposition and Rajoelina).
"These sanctions appear to have limited impact because the persons to whom they are addressed continue to go abroad without any problems, except in some African countries," says the source of Fides. “Push for the adoption of the hard line from African countries, especially those in southern Africa, is coming from former President Ravalomanana, who has strong economic interests in the country, along with foreign investors, particularly South Africans. The real motivation of Madagascar's crisis is not so much political, but economic. Madagascar is rich in natural resources that are attracting the interest of several foreign investors," said our source.
Rajoelina announced that new elections be supervised by an independent electoral commission made up of 19 members, mostly representatives of civil society. The movements of the three former presidents have refused to join.
"The population is tired of the crisis and wants to ensure stability for a better life for everyone. Despite the political chaos, people have not lost their faith and are even preparing to live Easter with great intensity, especially here in Madagascar where it is very widely celebrated," says Fides' source. One sign of the great faith of the local Catholic community has been the strong participation of young people in the celebrations for World Youth Day, celebrated on March 28, Palm Sunday, at the Minor Seminary of Antananarivo. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2010)
