Monja Roindefo: there I am, there I will stay, debate over

No matter how heavy is the pressure coming from the three other political mobilities or from the international contact group, the transitional government’s chief is holding his grip on his seat, under the protection of the HAT president, Andry Rajoelina, and behind the « people », whose expectations are waiting to be satisfied. « It is not appropriate to resign whereas the mission confided by the people is only achieved to 5% « , he added. 

In face of such a statement, it is hard to figure out that Monja Roindefo, currently claiming his « popular endorsement », was the 2006 presidential election candidate who received a 0,001percent record score. The man is conscious that the present de facto authorities will have to pass the electoral test to be legal and legitimate. « Joaquim Chissano said that there won’t be any international recognition without elections; only a power installed after these elections will be recognized « . 

The transitional authorities’ position remains unclear as for the real will to challenge the international community by the organization of elections in a unilateral way. « If we set up a vote, shall it be accepted by the international community and by the Malagasy political class? », wondered Monja Roindefo. The stake is simple: « if financial backers are recognizing the chosen path toward the 4th republic, they are not going to cut helps ». 

the die hard way 

Prime minister Roindefo is attesting that his self proclaimed national union government is ready to come back to the negotiation table. « We will be uncompromising if it is contrary to the Malagasy people’s interest », he said, and added that he would reject any talks which would waste the government’s time. « Beforehand, we have already enjoyed a lull, the economy restarted again, the people resumed working and the planes coming from abroad were full… it is no more the case now because of Maputo I and because of demonstrations organized by the other mobilities », complained the Prime minister. 

The Rajoelina mobility is playing in defence again while waiting for the arrival of mediator Joaquim Chissano in Madagascar, by the beginning of October. « We are not the enemy of the international contact group but an imposed consensus is unacceptable », warned Monja Roindefo. He believes that this will to impose an agreement is excessively favouring the balance of powers. « Arguing that the transition’s president must not be Andry Rajoelina and the Prime minister cannot be Monja Roindefo is a wrong debate », insisted the latter.  

« I don’t want to waste my time discussing in vain, but I am keen on paying respect to the international contact group », conceded Monja Roindefo before attacking the mediators anew. « The ICG is not the international community « , he said as rejecting the mandate and the mission of Joaquim Chissano or Jean Ping, president of the AU commission, in the resolution of the Malagasy crisis.

« The way leading toward elections must indeed be debated », judged Monja Roindefo. The Rajoelina mobility’s Prime minister doesn’t want to hear about discussions on the national union government, the genuine one.