The hatchet has been buried. At least, that's what was affirmed during a ceremony held Saturday in Ambovombe, capital of the Androy region. The event sealed peace between Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, head of state, and Deputy Philobert Milavonjy, head of parliamentary opposition at the National Assembly representing the group "Isika rehetra miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina" (Irmar).

Saturday's event followed a call made by the occupant of Iavoloha on June 11. During his speech in Ambovombe at the inauguration of National Road 13 (RN13), he declared his readiness to reconcile with "his political opponents" in the region. He added that political quarrels were among the reasons the Androy region remained mired in poverty. Without stating it directly, the senior officer was referring to his clash with Deputy Milavonjy from when he was head of the Androy region.

This call for reconciliation was put into action Saturday. A third man also played a central role in this gesture of peace: Jean Michel Henri, former deputy of Ambovombe. Beyond the peace act between Ambovombe personalities, Saturday's event also carried political significance. Two of the three main actors are the head of state and the leader of parliamentary opposition.

"Let us be solidary. Let us show fraternity. It's not because we make peace that he will stop being an opponent or leave Irmar. But we want to show Androy, all Madagascar, that political differences should not divide us. I want to reconcile the entire nation. How could I achieve this if I cannot even do it in my home region," preached Colonel Randrianirina.

Saturday's meeting brought together several state, parliamentary and political figures, including the Prime Minister, ministers and members of the National Assembly's permanent bureau. The absence of Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, president of the lower chamber, raised questions. He typically accompanies the head of state during his tours across the country. During the Ambovombe event, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko was attending a service of the "Vahao ny oloko" denomination at the Coliseum Antsonjombe in Antananarivo.

Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson