Pastor Mailhol Dieu Donné André was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the National Order of Madagascar during a service held at Mahamasina last Saturday. Colonel Michaël Randrianirina has committed to attending all events organized by different religious denominations. He made this declaration last Saturday during a service celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Apokalipsy Church, held at Mahamasina stadium. While some observers accuse him of violating the principle of state secularism stipulated in Article One of the Constitution, the President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar has decided to tour religious confessions. Indeed, after donning his "Mpiandry" attire on July 24 during an ecumenical service organized at Analakely by the FFKM in memory of victims of abductions and murders, he traveled to Morondava on July 26 to attend the ordination mass of the auxiliary Bishop of the Menabe region. Just last week, he was present at the annual "Zaikabe" of the FLM Church held at Ankaramalaza. According to the President of the Refoundation, this service marking the 30th anniversary of "Fiangonana Apokalipsy Manerantany" (FAM) will certainly not be the last. One can thus expect the CAPSAT officer to be present at the gathering of faithful of the "Vahao ny oloko" Church scheduled for August 15 at the Coliseum of Analamahitsy. Notable among the guests were Pastor Mailhol Dieu Donné André and Pastor Randriarimalala Hery Tiana, founding president of "Vahao ny oloko," but also the remarkable and much-noticed absence of church leaders who are members of the FFKM. Many observers wonder whether these leaders were not invited or deliberately boycotted Pastor Mailhol's event, even though he sought to be inclusive by inviting all religious confessions, including Muslims and those of traditional beliefs.
Charm Offensive
In the eyes of observers, by launching a genuine charm offensive toward all religious confessions, the PRRM, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, intends to build his political base around churches. Currently, the regime has no structure it can rely on to face the polls. One year before the electoral deadline, if the initial schedule is respected, those in power could not compete with major political parties such as "Tiako i Madagasikara" of former president Marc Ravalomanana, or MAPAR which, despite persecution, still maintains significant political force. This initiative, which amounts to a nod to "Fiangonana Zandriny," proves to be an effective strategy for Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, even if it could be double-edged given latent rivalries with FFKM member churches. The "Mpiandry FLM" risks losing the support of faithful from traditional churches. It should be noted that this is the first time a head of state has attended an event organized by the Apokalipsy Church. On this occasion, the President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar offered a sum of 40 million ariary, with 20 million ariary to finance travel for faithful from the regions, and 20 million ariary to support social actions for needy families within Apokalipsy. It remains to be seen whether, in accordance with practice within this confession, 10% of this sum will be allocated to Pastor Mailhol. It should also be noted that he was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the National Order of Madagascar.