General elections – AREMA, more than ever, a house divided

The specter of division threatens the primary opposition party, former president Didier Ratsiraka?s AREMA. While there this group?s participation is no longer in doubt, the focus has currently shifted to its very future. Over the weekend, AREMA?s vice-National Secretary, Mr. Pierre Raharijaona, confirmed that his party will be part of the December 15, 2002 general elections. One day earlier, however, party members, among them some very prominent key figures, signed a manifesto opposing the December general elections. Not surprisingly, they objected on the same grounds used, a few months earlier, by the National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) headed by none other than former president Albert Zafy who, by endorsing the manifesto with his signature, confirms where he stands in the opposition. His agenda is essentially linked to the current political situation in Madagascar, namely the continuation of arrests relative to the political crisis, and the logistics surrounding the voting preparations.

During a thundering speech, on November 16, 2002, Mr. Pierre Raharijaona denied the manifesto signed one day earlier, in the name of AREMA, by collaborators close to himself. He confirmed his party?s presence in 132 voting precincts, during the upcoming general elections, and, rightfully so, he did his best to remind anyone who would listen that it is no longer possible to withdraw the candidacy applications already received by the administration. His collaborators, for their part, have recently banned the use of the party?s logo during the general elections.

Mr. Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, AREMA party?s National Secretary, currently abroad, is siding with those who, given the current political climate in Madagascar, have decided to boycott the elections. The only thing is that, contrary to his declarations, a few extremists have decided to run anyway, during the upcoming elections, some as AREMA candidates, and others as “Independents”.

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana