A third meeting of mediators programmed in Antananarivo

This time around, the international mediators are keen on engaging their entire political weight in the balance to solve the Malagasy crisis. The international contact group, which is gathering as set of mediators, will be represented by a large delegation in Antananarivo on October 6th. 

The African Commission’s Gabonese president, Jean Ping, is, thus, expected in the Malagasy capital city. Besides, the president of the Council of peace and security, Ramtan Lamamra, will normally be taking part into the meeting. 

More than six months after the putsch, the situation in Madagascar has not really evolved, apart from a pointless signature of the Maputo agreements, by the beginning August. Mediators have, nevertheless, given a six months long ultimatum to the “de facto authorities” to find the way back to “constitutional order”, without conclusive result. 

Heavy artillery definitely had to be unsheathed. For the time being, the status quo is currently prevailing.  

The composition of the delegation of the mediators who will be present in Madagascar demonstrates the international contact group’s will “to finish off”, if possible, with the Malagasy crisis. Some political mobility members implied in the process are speaking of a “last chance meeting” 

On this occasion, the mediators’ statement seems effectively rather stern. The tone has definitely gone tenser. It has, for example, been specified that “The Council of peace and security expressed its determination to impose all measures (…) including targeted sanctions against the authors of the unconstitutional change as well as against all those who are contributing to maintain illegality, if constitutional order is not restored.” 

The meeting of October 6th will, therefore, be the next, and probably the last opportunity to find a “consensual” solution to the Malagasy political crisis.  

The Maputo agreements and the Transition’s Charter signed in Maputo by Andry Rajoelina, Marc Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy, have definitely gone down like a lead balloon.  

The setting up of the second Monja Roindefo government, without agreement from the other mobilities, has only enlarged the gap between political forces.  

The three other mobilities are, so far, attempting to isolate the Prime minister Monja Roindefo’s team and the president of the High Authority of the Transition, Andry Rajoelina, with more of less success.