Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) – Andry Rajoelina swore in as President of the transitional government in Madagascar, however the international community has not recognized the process that has led to the coming into power of the main political opponent of the resigned President Marc Ravalomanana.
The inauguration ceremony of the former mayor of Antananarivo took place on Saturday, March 21, in the stadium in the capital city and was attended by nearly 40,000 people. The diplomatic corps did not participate, showing the disapproval of the international community in relationship to the new political situation of the island, after Rajoelina called off all sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate.
“Today we proclaim the end of dictatorship, of waste in the management of the state's affairs, the end of the lies, empty promises... that have for too long stifled Madagascar's political life,” Rajoelina said in his inaugural speech.
“Rajoelina's supporters do not understand the reaction of the international community, that affirms that there has been a coups d'etat,” Agenzia Fides was told by sources from Radio Don Bosco in Antananarivo. “According to the people, it was President Ravalomanana who did not first respect the Constitution, as he transferred his presidential powers to a military dictatorship, something that was not permitted in the Constitution. The members of the military dictatorship, constituted by Ravalomanana, have been obliged – following pressures from the army and the people – to hand over power to Rajoelina. It is true that the process is not according to legal code, but it is better to give power to a civilian that has popular approval, than to maintain a military dictatorship that has no legitimacy.”
The situation in Madagascar seems to have returned to normality after three months of confrontation between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, but the followers of the ex-President have announced a series of protests and strikes. Thousands of people gathered in the Ambohijatovo Gardens in Antananarivo calling for Ravalomanana's return to power. The former President's whereabouts are unknown at this time, and he also has a warrant out for his arrest for the death of several demonstrators, carried out by the police forces (a total of 135 people lost their lives during the protests).
“Beyond the uncertainties related to Ravalomanana's whereabouts and the actions of his supporters, Rajoelina has a fairly difficult challenge ahead of him. He will have to continue appointments for te new government, place the administration in movement, and convoke a national dialogue to prepare for changes in the Constitution and the electoral law,” Fides' sources said. A point still in question is the decrease in age for candidates to the Presidency. The current Constitution places the minimum age at 40 years, however Rajoelina is 34. His opponents say that he could try to change the age, so as to present himself as a candidate in the elections scheduled to take place in two years. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2009)
