Omer Beriziky – EU: foreign financial support still blocked by politics

How much money did Omer Beriziky collect in the run of his trip to Europe? So reads the Malagasy people’s question of the day. The Transitional Prime Minister was himself displaying a certain confidence, and appeared quite optimistic.

“Following the establishment of transitional institutions, the time to regain trust has come for European donors. The EU’s top condition actually happens to be the organization of elections.” he declared shortly before taking off.

Madagascar is however miles away from capitalizing any major evolution. The European Union wants to comply with the schedule suggested by the United Nations’ electoral experts and expect the elections to take place in May 2013. The € 17 millions granted to the Prime Minister Beriziky are deemed to support first and foremost the organization of elections.

The configuration of the current political transition has not enabled Madagascar to benefit the “FED program” anew. The Prime Minister’s mission consequently was a failure. The 577 millions basically dedicated to Madagascar are going to remain where they are a little longer. Through the voice of the Commissioner in charge of Development, the EU promised that the funds dedicated to Madagascar in the run of the 10th FER will not be lost.

“There will be other political talks concerning the agreement of Cotonu,” said Omer Beriziky. According to the head of the transitional government, such a meeting expected to take place in Madagascar would bring representatives of the EU, the Malagasy government, civil society and the private sector together.
“Sanctions will be progressively lifted when the crisis settlement process clearly gets underway,” joyfully argued the Prime Minister.

Madagascar will be immediately getting its share of the European direct support program to the population. A budget of 100 million euros was granted by the EU to support basic social services in sectors like public health and education.

This fund will equally support agriculture and food security. The EU provides support to rural populations as well as to the civilian society. The most vulnerable population groups suffering the most from the political transition’s impacts will be the first ones targeted by this support.

As former Ambassador of Madagascar in Europe, Omer Beriziky could be considered as a regular in Brussels. The politician is however no more the man he used to be for being neutralized by Rajoelina and his movement. Things are slowly taking another turn now, for the national unity prime minister increasingly moves away from the leader of the transition.

Omer Berziky challenges the HAT’s populist policy endowed with the contradicting will to let the international market rule the local one. Such policy’s side effects already dramatically did affect fuel prices. The state must keep on subsidizing oil distribution companies dropping quite a lot of money on a daily basis.

Anyway, Prime Minister Beriziky appeared satisfied with the changes in his cooperation with Andry Rajoelina and welcomed the reshuffle of the State in accordance with the roadmap. Officially, the Rajoelina is no longer the single captain on board in spite of the year 2009’s putsch he conducted.