He told it for now, Andry Rajoelina will keep away from the presidential race in 2013

« To this country I am the solution and not a problem, » still claimed Andry Rajoelina although being widely perceived as the single hurdle to the recovery of the constitutional order troubled by nothing but his own deeds, namely the putsch he led back in 2009. The international community has not been rejecting him ever since without reasons, has it? « I confirm what I said on May 12th, 2010: I’m not going to run for the presidency. Let me but neither the country nor its people be sacrificed. . » How commendable. But even such a heroic devotion of his alleged in such a powerful  one day speech might struggle to erase his years of rule presenting evidences of the complete opposite.

He was dying for running the presidential race, but he can no more without becoming an internationally excommunicated leader. It has taken Andry Rajoelina to catch up that – one –  using the national sovereignty as a cover up does not open every door, – two – that misusing the Malagasy people’s choice proves not enough to challenge the international community , namely the SADC, let alone the United States of America. The international community has had the last say and forced him to stay true to his word.  As a last resort, a stirring speech made by a would be courageous patriot, a spiritual God fearing Wiseman. How convincing it actually is, if ever, does not matter.

« It is my duty to rule the transition, » recalled Andry Rajoelina. In his statement produced in May 2012, he gave his word and was keen to appear as a trustworthy chief of state yearning for nothing but to steer the country properly through the transitional period up to new presidential elections which he would keep away from. Respecting the two-year term granted by the High Constitutional Court and withdrawing in March 2011 would have been the least of the evidences of such a mindset. The TGV derailed, and then took another route, when launching a foolish constitutional referendum expected to provide its leader with an unlimited term in charge as well as the right to run the elections without the required age. All shots in the dark, the referendum was widely denied legitimacy.

Unilaterally changing the electoral calendar on political incentives

For ruling his party as well as the country as a result of a communal electoral success and a putsch, Andry Rajoelina plays one of his latest political cards up his sleeves. « I will not let you down, » he promised to his supporters. He subsequently announced some measures supposed to fix things and bring peace. « I am for tackling the communal elections before the presidential election, since the fact of addressing two elections at the same time is likely to generate further problems. »

Of course, the swindle is first and foremost deemed to pledge more chances to  Rajoelina’s TGV party which has no presidential nominee number 2 yet. The Party’s leader suddenly encroaches on the Electoral Commission’s authority. A calendar has already been thought up. « Doing so in accordance with the timetable established by the Commission remains possible, namely between May and July 2013 » argued Andry Rajoelina who actually used to say loud that the presidential election would be held on  May 8th, 2013 when he was still intending to become candidate. Shall this latest demand be granted out of compassion?