Political opposition – a very clear agenda

What the opposition is trying to achieve by boycotting the upcoming general elections is becoming more and more obvious as they up the ante. The current political situation in Madagascar is seen with a jaundiced eye by the primary opposition political entities, and their rather strange bed fellows who, for the past few weeks, have gone under cover. Former president Didier Ratsiraka?s party, and former president Albert Zafy?s men rallied around these political coalitions, last week, as pseudo-independent candidates who, nonetheless, already planned to participate in the December 15 general elections.

These self-proclaimed “independent” opposition candidates (58 in all, according to one of them) openly declare their outrage over the way the elections have been prepared, and the framework in which they will be held. Much like their primary counterparts, they make a point of dredging up the crisis related arrests, and all irregularities pertaining to the election preparation process. Not surprisingly, they also call for the need to postpone the upcoming general elections.

These various maneuvers are designed to force the new leadership, one way or another, into a rather untenable position. It is a known fact that scheduling the general elections before the end of 2002 is an international commitment, despite the fact that no meeting of the minds was ever officially reached in Dakar, Senegal between the current president and his former counterpart. The international community has promised to help organize the elections, albeit on a limited scope. Thus, if the new leadership could not deliver on such a commitment, it runs the risk of putting itself at odds with Madagascar?s partners. Not surprisingly, this is exactly the direction in which the political opposition entities, regardless of their affiliation, are trying to corral the administration, and President Ravalomanana.

For now, the new leadership has opted not to respond to this barrage of attacks emanating from the opposition. It is doubtful, however, that the administration will remain silent much longer. Officially, the December 15 general elections related campaign will start in five days. At that time, when the Supreme Court publishes the list of candidates, the names of those who, so openly, called for a boycott of the elections will, undoubtedly, appear therein. The opposition will then have to explain their seemingly unfounded non-participation claims.