AU: recommendations ignored by the HAT

The PSC´s decision taken on July 12th, 2011 confirmed the amendment on the SADC´s roadmap. So, the AU “calls upon the High Authority of Transition (HAT) to let the Malagasy figures exiled on political grounds recover the country without condition, including M. Marc Ravalomanana, and calls upon the HAT to do what it legally takes to insure political liberty for all Madagascans in the run of the inclusive process deemed to lead to free, fair and believable elections “. 

Besides, the PSC emulates the SADC as it ” calls upon the Ratsiraka, Ravalomanana and Zafy sphere leaders to accept the roadmap as soon as changes are completed”. The PSC argues that “Madagascar´s recovery of constitutional normality is an emergency “. But how could the efficiency of the aforesaid amendment be determined prior to the roadmap´s signature? Exiled figures, including Marc Ravalomanana, are logically supposed to be allowed and effectively be back home prior to signing the document. 

The Council subsequently called upon “all Malagasy forces to make a priority out of the national long term interests, and to face up to their historic responsibilities, now that reconciliation and compromise has to prevail for the sake of peace, democracy and national development”. Leonardo Simao´s projects rated as deviating have been rejected once again. The SADC´s envoy in charge of uniting the Malagasy forces displayed complacency for the HAT significantly favored in his report. The Dr Simao was actually the only one to believe Andry Rajoelina´s Prime Minister and his government to be reflecting any national unity. 

The Council pledged the SADC´s efforts to promote Madagascar´s recovery of constitutional order, based on the “Roadmap for the crisis´ settlement in Madagascar”. The first roadmap reinforced the HAT´s unilateral policy. The PSC encouraged the mediation to push further forward to a consensual and inclusive settlement of the Malagasy crisis. 

A meeting of the international contact group concerning Madagascar (ICG) will be organized soon in order to coordinate the international community´s support of the roadmap´s implementation and the restoration of constitutional order in Madagascar. 

For the time being, the HAT doesn’t appear impressed by the recommendations produced by the SADC and by the AU and stands by a potential recognition to be boosted by France. Calls have no substantial effect on an authority appearing bound to move its way forward with or without international recognition. The year 2009´s putsch makers are turning national reconciliation down in order to remain in control. Remaining in control requires equally a complete domination of the elections and the exclusion of the main adversary.