Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides)- There is uncertainty in Madagascar after the failure of the meeting in Pretoria (South Africa) of the leaders of 4 “mouvances” who were to sign an agreement to bring the country out of a serious political crisis which has lasted for more than a year (see Fides 30/4/2010). The meeting concluded with no result during the night of April 30 and May 1.
Another meeting is expected to be held in two weeks time, again in South Africa. “The President of the High Authority Transition (HAT), Andry Rajoelina, on returning home said he does not intend to attend the meeting because he considers the Pretoria meeting the final attempt to find a negotiated solution” Fides was told by Radio don Bosco, the most important Catholic radio in Madagascar which recently received the 2nd and 3rd Prize “Reporting for Malagasy Journalist” awarded by the US Embassy in Antananarivo, for reportage on questions regarding healthcare, development and social life.
“We are awaiting the outcome of a meeting between the President of the High Authority Transition (HAT), Andry Rajoelina, and the army chiefs, which opened this morning at 10.30 local time” say Fides sources. The army had given an ultimatum to Rajoelina to present before the end of April an articulated programme to lead the country out of the crisis, threatening, if he failed, direct intervention on their part. “Rajoelina is expected to address the nation this evening, as he promised when he arrived back in Madagascar” say Fides sources.
The summit in Pretoria went aground on the question of amnesty for the outgoing President Marc Ravalomanana, condemned in 2009 for “conflicting interests” in the purchase of the presidential aircraft.
In the Madagascar crisis there emerges a division between the English speaking powers (South Africa and SADC, (South African Development Community, composed mainly of English speaking countries), that support Ravalomanana, and French speaking countries, led by Paris, more favourable disposed towards Rajoelina.
On the backdrop of the crisis there remain interests connected with the exploitation of the mineral and agricultural resources of the Island, whose position is strategic for the control of the Southern Indian Ocean. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/5/2010)
