Ravalomanana: His quest for a permanent solution?

That Sunday’s decision to dissolve Jacques Sylla’s administration even baffled an official who is rather close to President Ravalomanana, and caught nearly everyone by surprise, is an indication that it originated at the “very highest echelon” of the government.

To reconcile the nation, and in accordance with the Dakar agreement , Marc Ravalomanana dissolved Jacques Sylla’s government, and then turned around and re-appointed him Prime Minister, in charge of erecting a new multi-partisan administration which will be designed to unify the nation by eliciting the participation of those loyal to out-going President Didier Ratsiraka, thereby creating a “Malagasy Rainbow Coalition”.

In a letter to Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, President Ravalomanana indicated that he accepts in principle the plan advocated by OAU to resolve the Malagasy crisis. He also expressed his acquiescence to holding early legislative elections aimed at determining a new majority, before year end.

As mentioned on the state sponsored MBS television network, the agenda will also include an amnesty agreement covering Didier Ratsiraka and his family.

Because the out-going President is making plans to attend the up-coming OAU’s Central Committee meeting which will look into the resolution of the Malagasy crisis, the timing of the decision to grant amnesty is the subject of incessant speculations, within some political circles. Providing that OAU approves, Prime Minister Jacques Sylla will be the designated participant.

Conquest

The dissolution of Jacques Sylla’s administration on Sunday took place at a time when the situation on the battle field remains fluid and ever changing. Pro-Ravalomanana troops presently control close to 90% of the national territory, while the pro-Ratsiraka rebels continue to terrorize a few hot spots.

Even in Antananarivo, terrorist acts seem to be on the rise, once again. Six armed men, one of which was arrested, were seen over the weekend as they were about to blow up a bridge right in the heart of the city. In the few towns which are still under pro-Ratsiraka governors, clashes and confrontations rage on, unabated.

Mob justice often follows the military operations designed to restore and maintain order. Case in point, Mahajanga Indian and Pakistani shopkeepers, as well M3TV television network have been the target of “revenge” looting because of their alleged ties to Ratsiraka’s support network. Local sources fear that the very same thing could well happen in Toamasina.

Since the weekend, Ravalomanana’s government controls four of six provinces, namely Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, Toliary, and Mahajanga. They are poised to capture the remaining two. The two governors who remain loyal to Ratsiraka only control half of their respective territories, Antsiranana, in the North, and Toamasina, in the East.

Since the crisis resolution plan includes a clause unfreezing overseas Malagasy assets, economic activities will surely resume, without further delay, once Didier Ratsiraka and OAU ratify the creation of a reconciliation bi-partisan government. Furthermore, a speedy reconstruction of the country, financially backed by Madagascar’s partners will soon be underway.

Translated by Jeanne Françoise Razanamiadana