The army is cleaning house

Ten or so Malagasy army and gendarmerie officers were arrested on Thursday, on suspicions of murders, and other criminal offenses, as well as being a threat to national security. They are part of the last contingent of officers whom former president Didier Ratsiraka could still rely upon.

According to the army, these men were not exactly your average officers; they were part of Mr. Ratsiraka’s top brass. General Iandro Fenomanana, the former commanding officer for the Military region of Toamasina, Ratsiraka’s former stronghold, was one of them. The general’s opportunistic surrender, one week ago, just as the regular army was advancing toward Toamasina, was evidently not enough to exonerate him. According to sources within the military, he, along with former governor Lahady, was one of the major architects behind the Brickaville roadblock, which was designed to economically choke, and bring the capital to its knees. Thus, General Fenomanana is also charged with interfering with the free circulation of goods, and individuals, as well as racketeering against passengers and transporters at roadblocks.

Other army and gendarmerie officers were also arrested with General Fenomanana. They were all charged with rebellion, dynamiting bridges, murders, and other criminal offenses. General Fenomanana, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tsirivelo Nicolas were already part of a list of rogue officers established earlier by the Ministry of Defense.

On one hand, it is not surprising that the former dictator’s camp is defiantly crying foul, and is accusing the new leadership of going on a scandalous “witch hunt”. On the other hand, President Ravalomanana, just as defiantly, brandishes the scepter of the law, and maintains the necessity of total submission, with no exception.

Although no two arrests have been the same, they have steadily followed one after the other, since Admiral Ratsiraka’s defeat. Pro-Ratsiraka officers continue to run, as the law relentlessly remains in hot pursuit. Colonels Coutiti and Rahitso, as well as General Tsaranazy, former minister of public works, top their “wanted” lists. Unidentified sources confirm that Tsaranazy has likely found refuge on the Island of Reunion. Coutiti and Rahitso, reputedly the most dangerous ones of the fugitives, are still at large. Meanwhile the mutilated body of one of their victims, an army commanding officer, has just been brought back to Antananarivo, with three bullets in the back.

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana