A Transition presided by a military: both militaries and pro-Rajoelina are turning it down

The army, thus, solemnly and definitely shot dead the proposal made by the Ravalomanana, Ratsiraka and Zafy mobilities, namely to entrust the Transition’s jobs of president, vice-president and Prime minister to militaries. « We oppose the setting up of a military board of directors », read the statement made by the general Ravelomanana, secretary of state for the state police. 

« We oppose any appointment disapproved by the army command ». Is the supposedly neutral big green machine definitely bowing to Andry Rajoelina and to the top leading colonels? In any case, the message to be put across is unity in spite of the hovering divisions which is currently denting confidence inside barracks. 

To reach such an end, the pro-Rajoelina are reminding that there is one and only one command. They are condemning whatever political move aiming at stirring the division within the armed forces. Some measures are to be taken against officers who would be eager to enter in the Transition’s high profile offices. The putsch against the military board of directors to empower Andry Rajoelina back on March 17th, 2009 is a « gain » not to be questioned ever again as many other ones. 

The armed forces are insisting on the fact that they are keeping out of politics, in accordance with the resolution from the military assembly. Former president Albert Zafy put forth a literal interpretation of those words. « As they are repeatedly claiming loud their political neutrality, it is a good reason to entrust them the direction of the Transition « , he justified. 

More might be needed to ease tensions now. The TGV association is stepping in.  « Whatever the end, Andry Rajoelina is the president of the High authority of Transition, the president of the Transition and the president of Republic ». As the Monima party did for Monja Roindefo, the TGV contracting muscle: « we are never going to give in » to a Transition directed by militaries. 

Those who are questioning Andry Rajoelina and Monja Roindefo are paradoxically accused of selfishness and anti-patriotism. Considering the impending harsh consequences risked by the country, the stubborn attitude displayed by the defenders of the gains from a putsch by street protests and by force back in latest March, is only benefiting a handful of politicians and officers. Does the Rajelina-Monja couple worth such price? 

The proposal made by the three mobilities doesn’t stand much chance to be considered by the international Contact Group as being the consensual solution to the crisis. On the contrary, it is showing the failure to find the political consensus on the last but not the least three roles to be shared. Joaquim Chissano got it all wrong when he declared that « directing the transition is not very important, it is not the end of the world ».