Domestic
National Dialogue: Andry Rajoelina Barred by Col Michaël Randrianirina
According to the President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar, "the process is reserved exclusively for Malagasy nationals and not for those outside. Especially not for those who are no longer Malagasy." Former president Andry Rajoelina has been officially excluded from the national dialogue process by Colonel Michaël Randrianirina. He formalized this last Tuesday. In an interview published on the Refoundation Presidency page, the PRRM made a direct and straightforward statement announcing that "the process is reserved exclusively for Malagasy nationals and not for those outside. Especially not for those who are no longer Malagasy." This is an allusion to Andry TGV, whose nationality was stripped by the Refoundation regime immediately after taking power. This statement from the current occupant of Iavoloha follows a resolution adopted at the SADC videoconference summit held last Monday, after which the Southern African Development Community requested "the release of political prisoners, an end to arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders and Generation Z members, and the return of political exiles to the country." Recommendations flatly rejected by Madagascar's Refoundation leaders. Colonel Michaël Randrianirina believes the term "inclusive" means participation from all those in the country, namely women's associations, youth, and political party representatives, including the opposition. SADC leaders see it differently. International principles require that crisis resolution be handled consensually and inclusively. All protagonists and key actors in the crisis must therefore gather at the negotiating table. This was notably the case in 2009, when former president Marc Ravalomanana, then in exile in South Africa, was invited to all meetings of conflicting political movements. The question remains whether the PRRM intends to exclude diaspora members, most of whom also hold the "8 cm" nationality card, like former president Andry Rajoelina. It should be noted that during his meetings with members of the Malagasy diaspora in France and other countries he visited, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina had committed to granting voting rights to all Malagasy residing abroad. According to him, a related decision would be made during the national dialogue. In any case, observers view the Refoundation leaders' response to this SADC communiqué as a declaration of war against an international body, with the Big Island likely to pay a heavy price. Such a stance could trigger sanctions from the international community, as occurred during the Transition from 2009 to 2014. Based on reactions from the Refoundation President, Prime Minister, National Assembly President, and Justice Minister, it appears the current regime intends to resist pressure and ignore these SADC recommendations. They view them as foreign interference violating Madagascar's sovereignty. With the Refoundation regime choosing Russia as a privileged partner, one can conclude that a progressive break with Western countries and international organizations is underway. The question then becomes whether a Transition regime is authorized to engage the country in such strategically significant decisions, both diplomatically and security-wise.
Source: Midi Madagasikara