For the third time in recent days, the Head of State has spoken out on cases of disappearances and discovery of mutilated bodies. In Toamasina yesterday, he affirmed his determination to end them and to "destroy" those behind these crimes. Colonel Randrianirina challenges the perpetrators of these acts to confront him directly.
Annihilation. That is what Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, Head of State, promises to those orchestrating the disappearances and crimes making headlines in recent days. In Toamasina yesterday, he issued a warning to the presumed perpetrators and their possible instigators.
"I warn that, whoever is behind this, we have already begun investigating. Whatever organization, whatever is behind this, I will destroy it," warned the occupant of Iavoloha during a speech at the inauguration of new offices of the regional directorate of the Independent Anti-Corruption Bureau (Bianco) in Toamasina. This event coincided with the celebration of African Anti-Corruption Day.
For the senior officer, corruption is one of the root causes not only of the country's impoverishment but also of the current surge in insecurity. Authorities link the security situation to a destabilization plot. "The troubles currently shaking Madagascar are still due to this attachment to corruption. There is no more love of country. For a little money, some are ready to harm the nation and even kill children," he denounced.
According to Police Inspector General Jean Victor Tsaramonina, director general of the National Police, on July 8, one hundred seventy-two children were reported missing in Madagascar during the first six months of this year. Among them, one hundred sixty-four are disappearance cases, while eight children died. One hundred nineteen of these cases were recorded in the Analamanga region.
However, the situation has taken a worrying turn in recent days. Since the day after the national holiday, disappearance reports, especially on social media, have been almost daily. On Monday, about ten missing persons were reported. Meanwhile, bodies of missing persons have been found dead and mutilated. What started as a simple news item has become a matter of state.
"Kill me if you are men"
For authorities, this is a coordinated destabilization strategy. A thesis the Head of State defends by drawing parallels with approximately similar events between 2017 and 2018. The senior officer first spoke of political conspiracy "aimed at creating a climate of psychosis" on July 4, also linking these crimes to the drone that tracked the presidential convoy on the evening of July 3.
On Wednesday, he escalated by calling these acts "terrorism." On the response to end these crimes, Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison speaks of "war" against those who "want to hinder the refoundation." On the ground, this hardline approach is reflected notably in a massive deployment of mixed elements of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS). Initially, the strategy of a deterrent presence bore fruit.
Yesterday, there were no disappearance reports recorded on social media. This could also be due to the decision by media outlets, particularly online, to only report cases communicated by law enforcement. In the current tense context, pressure on the press is also increasing. The Head of State himself expressed reservations about "certain media," according to his words, which have priority on information about disappearances.
In any case, the occupant of Iavoloha clearly does not intend to limit himself to deterrent actions but wants to "destroy" the network or entity that would be behind these crimes. A determination he demonstrated in his tone of voice, gestures, and words yesterday in Toamasina. After an escalating qualification of the facts, presidential rhetoric thus enters an offensive register.
Although arrests have been indicated, authorities have not yet formally stated who the instigators of this wave of disappearances are. In his intervention yesterday, Colonel Randrianirina did, however, mention what would be a new financing mechanism for destabilization operations. "Cryptocurrency is currently circulating. It is now being used to bring in money intended to sow trouble in the country," he stated.