Tuesday , 23 April 2024
enfrit
The leader of the High Authority of Transition received the ambassadors of Turkey and Pakistan presenting their credence letters pledging power to ambassadors in charge in Madagascar. A big piece of pride for the putsch originated authorities, somehow unwilling to comment the departure of many more other diplomats who left Antananarivo without saying goodbye to Andry Rajoelina.

Ambassadors hitting the road without saying goodbye

Niels Marquardt, ambassador of the United States of America in Antananarivo since more of three years, recently left the country. The American position in the Malagasy crisis was not satisfying for the putsch originated authorities. Few days before his departure, Niels Marquardt was keen on making things crystal clear. He confirmed that the USA have never been granting unconditional support to Marc Ravalomanana, but rather required a “consensual” solution to settle the crisis. Things had not been different during Marc Ravalomanana’s mandates. 
Many ambassadors and diplomats previously in charge in Madagascar actually left without saying goodbye long before Niels Marquardt, as not recognizing the current dictatorship’s legitimacy: the ambassador of Germany, Wolfgang Moser, and the representative of the IMF, Pierre Van Den Bougaerde. 
The three solemn recognitions granted by the HAT are far from being “neutral”. Vatican which appointed its new representative was not a surprise. Since Razanakolona Odon has been appointed Archbishop of Antananarivo, the relationship between the Catholic Church and Marc Ravalomanana was no more what it used to be. The closeness between Andry Rajoelina and the Catholic church is only one more brick in the run of events. 
Turkey is, on the other hand, cross with an European Union reluctant to integrate it. The stand is somehow natural, since the European Union chosed the sanction rather than the recognition of the HAT. As for Pakistan, it is all a matter of a race against India. Both rival countries actually many very well integrated nationals in the Malagasy society.