The decree appointing Prime minister Mangalaza suspended

The « national unity » Transition has a bad start. Hastily appointed by Andry Rajoelina during the night of October 10th, Prime minister Régis Eugene Mangalaza has taken part in a first Cabinet meeting on October 14th but still lacks an official office so far. 

To make matters worse, the State Council has decided to suspend the order appointing the government’s new chief, possibly in expectation of its eventual cancellation, as requested by the outgoing Prime minister Monja Roindefo. The latter definitely rejected the appointment of Régis Eugene Mangalaza by reiterating that such will have to wait for the signature of a political convention between the mobility chiefs signatory of the Maputo agreements.  

In all cases, the dismissal of Monja Roindefo has definitely worsened his relationship with his brother-in-arms, Andry Rajoelina. Both men actually held on to their respective stand, and made the quest for a long term solution to the Malagasy political crisis even more complicated. 

A reconciliation committee had to be erected by politicians close to both of the putsch’s masterminds. Richard Andriamanjato, Patric Monibou, Alain Ramaroson, Eugene Voninahitsy, Gabriel Rabearimanana and Manassé Esoavelomandroso met both men separately, behind closed doors, prior to a meeting between Roindefo and Rajoelina, on Thursday October 15th, at the palace of Ambohitsorohitra. 

Being conscious of the potential danger of a definitive clash between the president of the High Authority of the Transition and his Prime minister nominated in February on the place of May 13th, politicians from their circle of proxies did the best possible to reconcile them.