Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) – Andry Rajoelina, the mayor of Antananarivo (capital of Madagascar) and main political opponent of President Marc Ravalomanana declared that he has presented a petition for the President's dismissal in the “Haute Cour Constitutionnelle” (HCR, the Constitutional Court) and announced that on Saturday, February 7, he will present a “transitional government.”
“The mayor of Antananarivo relaunches the game after the partial failure yesterday, February 2,” (see Fides 2/2/2009) Agenzia Fides was told by sources at Radio Don Bosco, the main Catholic radio in Madagascar. Rajoelina had encouraged government employees not to go to work, however the majority of the offices remained open. “In the demonstration today, February 3, in which Rajoelina announced the presentation of a petition of dismissal for President Ravalomanana and the formation of a transitional government led by himself, there were less people than in past days,” our sources said. “This is due to the fact that the population conserves the memory of the 6-months' protest of 2002, when the island remained completely paralyzed, leading to serious problems. The people have to make a living. They cannot go to the demonstration because they are obliged to work, not because they are not in agreement with the reasons of the protest.”
In 2002, Ravalomanana led the popular protests against then President Ratsiraka. The two confronted one another over the results of the presidential elections and in the end, Ratsiraka was forced to go into exile and Ravalomanana was declared president.
“We have entered a stalemate, as Rajoelina has also decided to take the demonstrations to the provinces, hoping for a large demonstration to occur on Saturday, in the capital,” Fides' sources commented. “The February 7 demonstration will be the key to understanding how the crisis will evolve. Rajoelina also announced that attending the manifestation will be the famous singer “Rossy.” He has been living in France since 2002, as he was a supporter of former President Ratsiraka. In spite of this, he is still very popular in Madagascar, and his concerts always attract thousands of fans. Rajoelina, is thus using the 'show' to attract more demonstrators.”
The crisis has still not been overcome and new clashes may be yet to come, as the assessment of the violence in recent days continues to be unclear. Official statistics say that 44 people have died, while Fides sources affirm that there are at least 120 dead.
The reasons for the protests are political (Ravalomanana has been accused of having limited democracy, especially in the mass media) and economic (the majority of the population is upset because they do not benefit from the profits on natural resources).
Behind it all are the foreign interests: French and American, first of all, but then there are other powers, as well. “ Ravalomanana, who has not been friendly towards France, has probably disappointed American expectations for a greater influence in the country, as it has opened the local market to Chinese, South Korean, and South African investors,” Fides' sources concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 3/2/2009)
