Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) - The agreement reached in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) by the four political movements of Madagascar (see Fides 7/11/2009) is stirring hopes among the population of Madagascar, but also some apprehension about its implementation. "The agreement says that the current President of the Transitional Authority, Andry Rajoeina, will be flanked by two co-chairmen. There is now a debate over their function: for Rajoelina, the two co-presidents have only a function of monitoring and controlling his actions, but the two co-presidents argue that all acts of the President must be countersigned by them. In this case, it would really be a three-member presidency,” an editor of Radio Don Bosco tells Fides.
The two co-presidents who will join Rajoelina are Emmanuel Rakotovahiny (of the movement of former President Zafy) and Fetison Rakoto Andrianirina (the movement of the outgoing President Ravalomanana). Eugene Mangalaza, close to the movement of former President Ratsiraka, is the Prime Minister of a government of national unity that will include 31 ministers. “The 4 movements that have signed agreements in Addis Ababa have already decided the number of ministries to be allocated to each party. This week, meetings will be held to assign the various ministries. Problems are expected, as each movement will try to claim ministries to become more important and prestigious,” says the source of Fides.
“This is a complex agreement, for whose implementation will require the good will of all signatories. It is true however that the Government of National Unity has the task of leading the country to elections within 10 months. The people press to ensure that the elections are held first, and in any case before June 26, the day of national independence, which in 2010 will celebrate 50 years.
The Bishops of Madagascar are gathered for their plenary assembly, which will end on November 13. It is likely that the final document of the Assembly will also hold some references to recent political and social developments,” concludes the source of Fides. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2009)
