Sanctions against the HAT: the European threat to be taken seriously

The assembly of the European union and ACP countries displayed its concern related to the political situation in Madagascar. The European commissioner Louis Michel openly recommended the authorities to be duly punished, could they keep on failing to comply with the international community’s aspirations. “The Council must reinforce the European sanctions against this country, and must match them with those voted by the African union” he stated. The spanish minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, commited to address these drafted sanctions to the foreign office Council meant to be held in April 2010.  

During this assembly, Madagascar and Niger have been reduced to the role of simple observers for lack of constitutional order. Charles Milupi (Zambia), ACP cochairman, underlined the vivid involvement of the African Union, the CEDEAO and the SADC (Southern African Development Community) in both countries’ political crisis. “We must totally stand against any non democratic power takeover, be it through putsches or through manipulations of civilian democratic processes”, he stated.  

In his message of March 2010 to the Malagasy citizens, the ousted president Marc Ravalomanana greeted Europe’s common ground with the African Union in the condemnation of putsch makers. “The final objective is the march towards national reconciliation, and the erection of transitional institutions, part of which the national unity government to be in charge of preparing the elections”. He denounced the HAT stubborn intentions to produce “an electoral masquerade “. Marc Ravalomanana is expecting France to refrain from breaking the European ranks, and pressure Madagascar’s dictating junta.  

Ban on travels abroad is part of the sanctions inflicted upon HAT figures by the African Union. The Rajoelina mobility can, for the time being, thank God that the measure is not yet adopted by the whole of the international community. Some HAT ministers are actually currently abroad. Are these journeys official? That is the question. The Rajoelina-Vital authority found a loophole against any risk of entry denial: a ban on trips abroad paid with Malagasy state money.  

A simple invitation is no more enough. Foreign hosts have to sign an international recognition contract, and pay the bill. The HAT, however, keeps the last national interest motivated exceptional trip card very much up its sleeve. Sanctions to be stemming from the European Union are likely to be significantly more than bans on travels abroad, and the national economy is going to feel them. When some projects’ financings will be suspended for the mid or long terms, the junta will have to deal with a very serious risk of social uprising.