At the Environmental Summit, with the UN’s blessing

It is, we are told, as if the African Union is finally getting a taste of its own medicine.
In its excessive zeal to isolate the new Malagasy President, the African Union ended up isolating itself, in the process.
The Malagasy president’s attendance at the Environmental Summit, where long lasting development, and environmental issues are discussed, should close the book on the international recognition of the legitimacy of his leadership.
President Ravalomanana who, in view of the evolution of the political atmosphere in Madagascar, did not wish to rush his African counterparts, is nonetheless convinced that it is just a matter of time before they accepted him within the fold of the African Union.
As we already know, a few of the continent’s countries, independently of AU’s position, have decided to engage in a two-way relationship with the Great Island.

President Ravalomanana used the Johannesburg summit as a platform to reiterate the current Malagasy leadership’s resolve to move the country economically toward a “rapid development”, and his desire for a more effective environmental protection.
He stated, “Madagascar is probably the first country open to the idea of protecting the environment.
The Great Island, as we all know, is considered a nature sanctuary.
It is home to an exceptionally unique fauna, and flora found nowhere else in the world.
That is why we are sold on the idea of creating an “International Environmental Agency.””

The political crisis which the Great Island has just experienced has left a few scars.
However, the time for reconstruction has come.
To this end, he pointed out, “This is why the Malagasy people have decided to resolutely look to the future, and my administration has staunchly resolved to promptly re-launch our economy.
For this national reconstruction to work, the government has adopted a code of conduct based on the following principles: respect for democracy, and human rights; restoration of law, and order; and exemplary governance.”

The Johannesburg summit was the first opportunity for President Ravalomanana to participate as Madagascar’s legitimate leader, in an international forum. undoubtedly for reasons of security, his departure from the Great Island, on Saturday, August 31, 2002, was a rather discrete one.
Accompanied by a few members of his inner circle, as a guest of UN General Secretary Koffi Annan, he anxiously wanted to attend this meeting which presented an opportunity for him, through this baptism by fire, to exchange views with his African, and European counterparts.

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana