Political dialogue: the HAT armed to persuade the European Union

The composition of the delegation driven by Andry Rajoelina for the political dialogue with the EU in Brussels reveals the …political stake of this ultimate chance of recognition for the HAT, without having to be through negotiation and haggling between Madagascans. If his foreign minister’s presence, Ny Hasina Andriamanjato is indispensable, one can wonder about the absence of the government’s officials in charge of economically orientated portfolio such as finances, economy, trade… 

The political dialogue would have never ever been so well named. As a proof, Andry Rajoelina takes with him two actors and witnesses of the political crisis as well as of the extra constitutional power change in Madagascar by last March. It is the Vice-admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson who had to direct the military board of directors to which the elected president Marc Ravalomanana confided the mission to organize new elections, and Norbert Ratsirahonana, mentor and special advisor of Rajoelina. The former chief of state during one period of transition in the midst of 1990 played a facilitator’s role in order to give a politically legal appearance to the ouster of March 17th, 2009 by mutinous soldiers supporting the TGV gang. 

The HAT should argue to prove the legality of its power takeover and its regime after nearly four months of contestation. The minister of the Justice, Christine Razanamahasoa, will have to plead on the files against president Ravalomanana in order to justify the military Coup. Gilbert Raharizatovo, minister of Communication and Culture, will be of precious, as he appeared very at ease in the analysis of international relations. 

Hajo Andrianainarivelo, minister of regional development and Decentralization, is also part of the journey. Is he as technician in order to evoke the European partnership in this domain. In any case, his presence seems less justified than that of Onitiana Realy, journalist for TVPlus. Ratsiraka’s private channel despite its denials, contributed to the success of the TGV popular movement, being one of the first to hammer on TV that the president is named Rajoelina and Prime minister Roindefo. It still contributes to the HAT’s propaganda, up to polishing the army’s and the starring mutinous commanders’ faces. Mrs. Realy, editor-in-chief of her state, is the only journalist taken by Annick Rajaona, the HAT presidency spokeswoman. 

For the political dialogue in Brussels, the European Union will ask the HAT for accounts on the evolution of the situation of the return to constitutional order in Madagascar. Having left the negotiations monitored by the African Union’s international Contact Group, the authorities of transition try to stand tall. Five new seats in the HAT are proposed to the TIM party. A voluntarily small number in order to mean the potential minority of Marc Ravalomanana’s party and indeed to make sure to be able to recruit them. Not really the genuine consensual and inclusive transition expected either by Madagascans or by the International Community.