Marc Ravalomanana: “A unilateral election is a dead duck”

“No one will ever recognize any election organized by the HAT”. So read Marc Ravalomanana’s statement addressed in the afternoon of March 25th to some dozens of reporters interviewing him by phone line. The press conference was broadcasted live by the Radio Fahazavàna radio station belonging at the FJKM protestant church. 

Marc Ravalomanana remained skeptical even after the designation of the independent national electoral commission’s 16 out of the 19 expected members. The president in exile displayed his willingness to dare the polls in a credible way, and insisted on the first of all priorities, the implementation of signed agreements. “The Maputo agreements will have to be implemented, then national reconciliation completed, and finally elections”, he argued. 

“I find no reason for Andry Rajoelina to reject the agreements which he previously signed”, he said before adding “nobody forced him to sign these agreements.” 

As for his return on home soil, the president in exile reiterated that, in accordance with the Maputo agreements, national reconciliation will have to be capitalized prior to it. Only this will pledge him genuine security on the Malagasy territory. Besides, Marc Ravalomanana launched a call to the army, urging it to  “takes its responsibility” in the current situation, and “save the Malagasy people.”