Transitional government: The civil society hesitating

Eight seats are dedicated to the civil society within the next transitional government. So decided the international Group of contact and mediators’ meeting concerning the Malagasy crisis. The four political mobilities have no objection against the civil society’s involvement in the transitional government.  

As far as it is concerned, the civil society was quick to confirm, through various independent associations, that its mission is actually not to integrate the government directly. “The civil society represents one of the pillars of democracy, however, its genuine essence is not the participation in a government”, argued Madeleine Ramaholimihaso, founder of the KMF CNOE, a very committed election observer organism in Madagascar since the end of the 80’s.   

“Taking responsibilities does not necessarily mean integrating the government”, reiterated Yvette Sylla, from a catholic based organization. 

In a larger extent, the civil society’s involvement is rather considered as a poor inspiration. All over Madagascar, there are nearly one thousand independent groups acting in various fields; so it would be even more complicated to agree on whom to grant the eight seats dedicated to the civil society to”, argued the president of an independent organization in charge of citizen education.