SADC led mediation: shambles

Leonardo Simao left Madagascar without putting his draft through, welcomed by the Rajoelina sphere and challenged by the opposition´s three political spheres. Political forces have jointly proposed amendments but the document failed from being passed. In short words, Simao proposed a little bit more of openness but with a relevant detail: the current institutions are to be totally reshuffled.

The dictating authority´s leader compared his transition to a ship opened to every politician bound to do what it takes to get in and end a more or less popular transition with a touch of democracy. Andry Rajoelina and the TGV were on the right path when supported by Simao´s draft. The second version is not yet a draft, for being merely an uncertain statement. It is however recovering the international community´s real wishes to do away with the unilateral process expected to be legalized by democratic tools.

“the roadmap project is pledging first and foremost talks between Malagasy parts” declared Leonardo Simao. Those talks in question actually failed again, as the opposition´s three spheres did not give in to the admiral Rajoelina, and kept away from a supposedly democratic transition. The SADC´s mediation is now correcting the trend and questions the openness offered by the HAT. The formation of a national unity government is being required, something completely different from the light reshuffle controlled by the dictating authority expecting to corrupt figures from the three spheres.

The new meant to be roadmap is equally addressing both parliaments. The matter happens to be far more complicated. Andry Rajoelina is compelled to provide his allies with positions, how is he going to get rid of his generously paid friends who have openly displayed their intentions to defend their skins? The reshuffle is much more true to the internationally recognized deals signed on African soil. The genuine question is however: which balance of forces will be held in account? The one following the year 2009´ putsch, or the latest truly democratically established elections.

According to Simao´s roadmap, the national unity government is meant to be the transition´s heart: “the transitional president and prime minister must be neutral. The transitional state cannot sign long term contracts”. It sounds like a will to stop the HAT´s deviations. The incoming national unity government will be responsible for the preparation of free and fair elections to be supported by the international community. The electoral commission is also expected to reflect the political balance. In the end, November 17th´s referendum is likely to come up to be one more unilateral waste of time, and nothing else.