Diplomacy: a half recognition from the UN

The UN commission in charge of confirming ruling powers´ effectiveness voted recognition of the effectiveness of the regime dominating Madagascar. 20 months after the putsch, the imposed government is actually being recognized as an authority having established its rule. The HAT´ diplomacy number one is holding it as a victory: “It means that the HAT is an official representative for Madagascar in UN conferences”. A scene with the HAT in the UN tribune is supposed to have a rehabilitation effect.

The authority is officially effective and just as officially not recognized as legal; but it is no issue for Hippolyte Ramaroson. The HAT diplomacy´s leader holds it as one more step toward recognition: “recognition is never immediately granted, even though gestures are pushing in this sense”. This UN gesture is actually being held as very much positive by the HAT, a bonus on the score board for the vice admiral and newly diplomatic leader.

According to Hippolyte Ramaroson, the presence of a UN representative into the SADC led mediation mission is a good step forward. The HAT´s foreign minister considers that the SADC is no more the ruling captain on board in the search for a solution. Playing the SADC down is still on schedule: “The SADC is actually empowered by the UN” recalled Hippolyte Ramaroson.

And now the real scheme: this latest decision from one of the UN commissions has come a little less than one month after the holding of a controversial constitutional referendum here. But, the whole of the international community, the African Union as first, denied recognition to the misuse of democratic tools in order to legalize an unconstitutional regime change. In the end, the transitional republic meant to be ruled by Rajoelina is in no way being recognized; only the effectiveness of a ruling power´s administration is.

The genuine international recognition is still fully depending on nothing but the installation of a truly inclusive and consensual transitional power. The referendum confirmed Andry Rajoelina on top of the HAT, but the unilateral and totalitarian management of the transition is still looking for a democratic face from more or less faked openness to the other political forces.  The UN presence in the SADC mission is actually a good omen, now it will find out the real truth in this Malagasy crisis.