Marc Ravalomanana: the stubborn HAT is jeopardizing the whole country

“I am doing my best to restore order”, this sentence has repeatedly been used by the president in exile Marc Ravalomanana in order to reassure his partisans. It actually also dictating regime’s leading figures’ mind . The HAT and the Rajoelina mobility have been accusing the former chief of state indeed of using influence, namely at the African Union level to induce punishment and block recognition for the imposed authority. “The international community, including the AU, is well in touch with Madagascar’s reality” argued Marc Ravalomanana. “I have no power for recommending or dictating anything to anyone”.  

The HAT is looking down on the sanctions de facto restricted to a single African institution which is being denied any credibility. Marc Ravalomanana believes it to be an error of judgment. According to him, the international community’s position is likely to match that of the African Union. Then he dented the statement produced by the president of the association of French speaking countries. As a proof, Canada, a big country, also a French speaking one, is approving the Council of Peace and Security Council’s decision. These sanctions are in fact,  a way to pressure the HAT, to force it back to the negotiation table, as well as to the implementation of the consensual and inclusive transitional charter signed in Maputo.  

The dictating authorities negatively reacted to these sanctions: waves of arrests of opposition members, repression of political demonstrations, threats against diplomatic bodies and against some ambassadors, continued capitalization of Andry Rajoelina’s personal roadmap… According to Marc Ravalomanana, the sanctions are affecting the country, contrary to what is told by the dictating leaders. “Merely the fact of living in a country led by internationally punished leaders is taking its toll from the nation “, it analyzed.  

Marc Ravalomanana denied recognition to the HAT electoral process, including the controversial erection of the national independent electoral Commission. He reiterated that the erection of a genuine national unity government together with various other institutions as the National Reconciliation Committee, are prior to any election. “Even if they(the HAT) come up to organizing an election every day, there will be no international recognition” he declared. Marc Ravalomanana expressed his concerns about the HAT aggressive attitude against the international community. “nobody can do away with international support when 80% of the development budget has to stem from loans from foreign partners”, he said.  

As being inquired about his health, Marc Ravalomanana thanked for the attention, and confirmed that he was doing very well. “My blood pressure is 12-8, I’m practicing golf, tennis and swimming “, he told. The former president was also enjoying the discovery of the south-African fauna through safaris. In spite of leisure, his prerogative number one remains the Malagasy people’s daily concerns. “They(the HAT) ruined within some months what has been taking seven years of continued efforts from all of us”, regretted the president. He blamed the TGV for wandering on end, without any long-term vision. The problem is actually the country’s enforced high speed drop in a never ending gulch.