Based on a call for applications released yesterday by the FFKM, the national dialogue remains in its preparatory phase. Each delay risks affecting electoral deadlines. Time is running out for the Ecumenical Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar (FFKM) regarding the national dialogue. According to a call for applications dated September 18 and published yesterday, the process is still in the preparatory stage.

"We are fully engaged in preparations for implementing the dialogue for the Refoundation of Madagascar," states the call for applications. It targets "children of the Churches [FFKM member organizations]" to recruit debate moderators, logistics coordinators, and session secretaries for discussions at various levels of the national dialogue. The deadline for submitting applications to each Church's office nationwide is set for September 23. The ecclesiastical institution adds that recruited personnel must undergo training before proceeding.

In response, Johasy Éléonore from the "Tsara Tahafina" party questions the inclusion of people from faiths not represented within the FFKM. Other observers note that Churches appear to be taking their time conducting the national dialogue. Nearly a month after the ecumenical service marking the official launch of the operational phase on August 25 at Andohatapenaka, progress remains stalled.

Tight Schedule

That event had announced that facilitator training for district, commune, and fokontany levels would occur from September 1-11. Dialogue was supposed to begin at the fokontany level from September 14.

The Churches' calendar projected commune-level discussions starting October 5, district-level on October 26, and regional-level on November 16. The national dialogue is scheduled for March 2027, with resolutions expected after May 2027. This timeline appears tight given electoral deadlines in the Refoundation Program submitted to SADC on February 28.

The government plans a constitutional referendum or constituent election between May and July 2027, followed by presidential elections before year-end. Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, the head of state, reaffirmed the objective of holding elections next year during a visit to Antsirabe on Saturday, though he did not specify which elections.

Unless procedures change, meeting electoral deadlines—particularly adopting a new Constitution—depends on the national dialogue's outcome. Its resolutions should guide drafting constitutional bills for citizen votes.

The head of state has already begun organizing election consultations. However, the national dialogue, deemed "sovereign," will likely produce recommendations for reforming the legal and institutional framework for elections. This underscores the importance of adhering to the planned debate schedule.

Yet the FFKM appears unhurried and taking liberties with its timeline. Each day or week of delay risks compromising elections necessary for constitutional order restoration before 2027's end.