MFM returns

During its national convention, Mr. Manandafy Rakotonirina’s party, MFM, attempts to reorganize, and look into the current evolution in the Malagasy political arena. The convention starts this week at Ivato, on the outskirts of the capital city. After playing a key role in the street demonstrations which toppled former president Ratsiraka, MFM stands, today, within the fold of the presidential sphere of influence. This has not prevented, Germain Rakotonirainy, the party’s general secretary, from openly asserting his wish to fight against the domination of one party. Manandafy Rakotonirina, the party’s president, is among President Ravalomanana’s closest advisers. Moreover Fianarantsoa’s special delegation president happens to be former party delegate Pety Rakotoniaina, a notorious MFM party official who defied the pro-Ratsiraka governor until the very end.

The recent crisis has, thus, given MFM the opportunity to stage a sensational comeback to the Malagasy political stage. When MFM, a long time opponent of former dictator Didier Ratsiraka, decided to endorse Marc Ravalomanana during his bid for the presidency, it experienced a significant increase in its popularity. Let us not forget that, following the first popular uprising against former president Didier Ratsiraka, in 1991, the party chose to leave the fold of the majority opposition headed by Albert Zafy. This action, despite the explanations provided, put a substantial dent in MFM’s sphere of influence. The number of delegates went from around fifteen to three; the party’s president was soundly defeated by one of Didier Ratsiraka’s AREMA party candidates.

Before the December presidential election, church leaders, who play a major role in the Malagasy political arena, suggested that Marc Ravalomanana contact Mr. Manandafy Rakotonirina, well known for his street smarts, and his keen knowledge of the Great Island’s political sociology.

Today, MFM intends to play a more significant role in this political arena, notably, by preparing for the general elections in such a way that it will no longer be considered just a fringe element on the parliamentary roster. Thus, MFM will attempt to get the maximum number of representatives elected in Fianarantsoa, where one of their own has a lock on majority support. This is why Fianarantsoa’s special delegation president is the target of a major destabilization campaign. The party’s general secretary, in his keynote address, at the convention, declared that this subversive movement against Mr. Pety Rakotoniaina is tantamount to a declaration of war against MFM.

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana