an exit from the crisis: amnesty, a hurdle to negotiations

Nobody has yet received amnesty. Even the High Authority of Transition whispers to be in for it. This subject is actually the corner stone between the four sides (Didier Ratsiraka, Albert Zafy, Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina) participating to the International Contact Group led negotiations at Antananarivo’s Carlton Hotel. 

Two sides feel particularly concerned by amnesty: Marc Ravalomanana’s and Didier Ratsiraka’s. Both former presidents are actually condemned by justice.  

For Didier Ratsiraka’s side, amnesty represents the main reason of its walk away from the negotiation table. It has also become a must for Marc Ravalomanana’s side after the recent condemnation of the exiled president in the “Air Force one 2” trial. 

Although, the High Authority of Transition agreed to lower its tone. It categorically turned down any amnesty for Marc Ravalomanana but now, playing on two sides has become the rule. Minister Ny Hasina Andriamanjato , Andry Rajoelina’s representative, explained that amnesty as such was no problem for the HAT, contrary to its detailed terms. The minister claimed that there would be need of a parliament to agree on an amnesty law, this institution being currently out of order. 

From scratch, the HAT has been keen on a political amnesty concerning events before 2009 in order to definitely rule Marc Ravalomanana out. The series of trials targeting the president re-elected in 2006 clearly serve this goal. The situation nudges the country in a dead end anyway. In the end, the military option represents the last available option for the exiled president to come home. 

To that day, the defenders of legality keep on claiming for Marc Ravalomanana’s return to power, and stand by support of foreign forces to restore constitutional order