The HAT diplomacy taking the mickey out of the European Union

The European Union decision to punish Madagascar was earlier stated because it was actually nothing but a proposition from ambassadors. The true official decision is expected on Monday June 07th, 2010. The HAT foreign office minister might have put his foot in it, and consequently have to pay his challenging attitude cash. « This sanction had to be pronounced in November (2009), it has been done on Thursday, everything is going to be all right « , it said with optimism.  

Hyppolite Ramaroson did not appear troubled by the sanction which will deprive Madagascar from a significant financial support. He recalled that the European Union is going to maintain humanitarian support related to education, health and food security. Suspension will hit the budgetary support. « We can find the necessary funding elsewhere in order to build roads », said the vice-admiral. According to him, Madagascar will not die out of the loss of only one financial backer, while using a Malagasy proverb. After all, the HAT is depriving the country from only 600 million euros earlier meant to be granted over 4 years in the run of the 10th EDF, isn’t it?  

The HAT foreign office minister is convince that the suspension of the European Development Fund is not going to harm Madagascar what so ever. The Vital government would not even have tried to avoid it, since they could not do so according to the Cotonou agreements’ article 96. The European union noticed the status quo in the political situation, and the authoritarian regime stubborn refusal to tackle an inclusive and consensual transition. « It doesn’t matter, we are going to move forward », replied the HAT minister Ramaroson.  

The HAT believes indeed that its way is henceforth legitimate since Andry Rajoelina announced his early pull out from the next presidential election, as well as his will to match the constitution to measure. It even expected this to pave the way for international recognition. The Rajoelina roadmap still announcing some unilateral elections failed from convince. The HAT diplomacy chief took advantage from the arrival of Rome’s nuncio, the Vatican’s ambassador, to claim the effectiveness of some international recognition.  

Roland Ratsiraka, a potential presidential candidate, is standing against the Rajoelina regime’s buldozer diplomacy. According to this HAT vice-president, the international community’s expectations have to be complied with, and an inclusive and consensual transition must be reached from a political agreement. The MTS party president is betting on the national Dialog in order some sort of consensus with all of the nation’s forces.  

Lanto Rakotomavo, chairwoman of the TGV, the empowered party, underline the relevance of the SADC and the AU’s stand on the EU decision. She would like the Europeans should observe the evolution of Madagascar’s situation by themselves. Thank God they didn’t! They would be pissed off by a solution which has been failing to evolve since more than a year. Unlike some of Africa’s putsch originated regimes which accepted a consensual and inclusive transition, the HAT is the family’s black sheep.