The Prime minister in military camps: boosting the troops’ moral

Prime minister Camille Vital’s visit to a certain number of Antananarivo’s military camps is serving the enhancement of the army’s unity 

The government’s chief was followed by his staff’s members as well as military chiefs of the High Authority of Transition. The presence of retired general, Monibou Ismaël, has been noticed. Recently appointed as advisor by the Prime minister, this former army chief of the staff has been called back to the rescue of the armed forces’ shaken unity. 

Stemming from the military academy’s first promotion, Monibou Ismaël is entitled to very much respect from his peers, but not yet to unanimous inclination. As army Chief of staff in 2002, at the time of the political crisis, he failed to preserve the army’s unity. Many observers are wondering how come he could succeed in doing so now, after eight years of retirement. 

In 2002, officers and soldiers openly pledged support to Marc Ravalomanana, at that time opposing a Didier Ratsiraka failing to cope with his electoral defeat. 

In 2009, rebelling troops swapped side for Rajoelina, and supported his struggle against Marc Ravalomanana. The young putsch is standing by the support of this unique but active fringe of the army to remain in power. 

For some other observers, Camille Vital’s visit to military camps is a way to boost troops’ moral, now that the eventual military intervention from the SADC and the African Union in the Great Isle is being a wee bit hastily hinted.  

Media and political groups devoted to the leader of the High Authority of Transition, Andry Rajoelina, are, anyhow, making things tenser than needed by psychologically preparing the population to war. Camille Vital was trying to moderate hearts and minds. The Prime minister emphasized the necessity of elections in order to put an end to the crisis.