Negotiation in Maputo: Soldiers step up the pressure on politicians and mediators

« Any decision contrary to the nation’s interests and the people’s aspirations, won’t be implemented in Madagascar « . The army particularly steps up the pressure on the international mediators about the return to constitutional order. Colonels Rakotonandrasana, Ndriarijaona, Razafindrakoto, as well as the national police retired general Rakotomihantarizaka… « Categorically » are opposing any return of the elected president Marc Ravalomanana, and evoked the risk of social unrest. 

In a common statement, the army, the national state police, and the national police declared that they do not to oppose the course of political negotiations in Maputo to solve the Madagascan crisis. The great family of the armed forces is now ruled by Andry Rajoelina’s allies, most of whose have actively taken part to his political takeover in latest March. Therefore, it is now warning against any resolution that would not meet its expectations. 

It is a threat, not any warning against any trivial risk… the interpretations are open. Anyhow, the army is clearly sailing under its true colours, and the message is for the international Contact Group. The army actually suspects that international mediators want to put pressure on mobilities so that a convention is signed at all costs by the end of the Maputo meeting. 

The mentioned supreme interest of the nation hints an unconditional support for the Rajoelina mobility. It also means that the army steps up the pressure on the self proclaimed chief of state so that he doesn’t give in during negotiations. These military rumours are emphasized by HAT allies’ political statements which downgrade the meeting between the four mobility chiefs, and warn that the things would resume if negotiations were a failure for the Transition’s regime. 

Whatever the resolution taken in Maputo, the army is threatening and stepping up pressure on Marc Ravalomanana to keep him out of the country. Commander Lylson, former political police’s squad chief (CNME) now promoted as special forces’ chief, has promised to implement court decisions. The HAT already got a ludicrous condemnation of Marc Ravalomanana in the Madagascan state owned presidential aircraft case. 

In 1991, Political convention has been found very quickly because the army remained neutral. The involvement of militaries in Andry Rajoelina’s takeover is complicating the deal in the present crisis. At least, the chief of the authority of transition rewarded the mutinous colonels with generals’ attributions and recalled a retired general to master the national police. Could president Ravalomanana and the constitutional order be restored, these heroes would have to be pardoned for their disguised putsch.