March 29th: a very much politicized remembrance

The dictating authority`s leader did well to celebrate March 29th away from Antananarivo. Andry Rajoelina is definitely not being recognized as legitimate chief of state by a growing part of the Malagasy population, his authority has been strongly challenged on the very same date in 2010. Jeopardizing  » national recognition  » this year is off the point. The dictating power´s chief rather focused in Moramanga on the openning of a museum dedicated to the 1947´s insurgency, one of his promises during his rise to power in 2009. 
In Antananarivo, Rajoelina´s Prime minister, Camille Vital, conducted therefore the emembrance ceremony in Ambohijatovo and at the mausoleum of Ambohitsaina. Everything ended without trouble, in spite of general Richard Ravalomanana´s warnings and forecasts. The opposition played a deaf ear to the officer in charge of mastering political demonstration. As a single second to none deed from the transitional régime, medals of national liberation were granted to 24 former fighters captured 64 years ago by the colonial power. 
The opposition actually didn’t give in to the intimidations launched by general Richard Ravalomanana. « The celebration of March 29th belongs to all Malagasy « , jointly claimed the three spheres. By 14 hours, the opponents to the HAT led by former president Albert Zafy, Angel Andrianarisoa from the Ratsiraka sphere, and Lalatiana Ravololomanana of the Ravalomanana sphere, equally had its ceremony in Ambohijatovo.  » the three spheres´supporters are there and we are demonstrating in peace, all is all right when the Emmo Reg doesn’t provoke demonstrators « , declared a militant wearing a T-shirt with president Marc Ravalomanana´s face on, inside his jacket.. 
The HAT´s former Prime minister Monja Roindefo appeared beside the opposition´s three  spheres in Ambohijatovo. The president of the Monima party argued that it was nothing but a simple coincidence. « On such an important day for the country, it is appropriated to show evidence of unity « , he declared. He hinted later on that a consensus could possibly be reached with a wee bit more will. 
That day´s heroes have once again lost the scene to politicians. They are still 3115 veterans earning a pension of 38 000 ariary per month. They are between 80 and 102 years. Some 500 heroes of 1947´s insurgency are still expecting to be recognized and thereafter, to earn the state pension. History has not determined the casualties yet, when the insurgency started the struggle for independence. The Malagasy claim 100 000 deaths. France recognized 82 000 casualties in 1948, before putting 13 000 victims forth in 1950. The number of 89 000 casualties presented later by the French headquarters is recognized by famous historians. The insurrections in Madagascar also made 550 European victims, most of them, French nationals.