Tiko’s rice generating inner conflict within the HAT

 A few 10.000 tons are currently left from the 35.000 tons of rice imported by Tiko before the political crisis. In all, 25.000 tons have been stolen by different figures of the High Authority of Transition. 

Today, Tiko’s rice is, however, at the origin of a new inner conflict within the HAT. The leaders of the Transition are throwing accusations at each other. 

The minister for Trade, Jean Claude Rakotonirina, opened the hostilities by pointing at “two members of the HAT” who “squander” Tiko’s rice, however without specifying their names. The benefits returned by the sale of this rice imported by Marc Ravalomanana’s industrial group were yet supposed to pay back the society’s debts to the fiscal administration. The so said debts, adding up to millions dollars, are still being a subject of controversy and negotiation between the HAT and the Tiko group. 

As time has been going by, Pety Rakotoniaina and Voninahitsy Jean Eugène unveiled themselves. Both politicians, who were recently released from jail, happened to be the concerned figures allegedly targeted by the minister for trade. 

The facts proved to be true. Tiko’s lawyer has read out a long list of names of those who “lately plundered Tiko’s rice, through delivery orders presented to authorities of Toamasina harbour, in the East of the country, where rice is being stocked. Among the recipients appeared the names of Voninahitsy and Pety, two of Ravalomanana’s fiercest adversaries. Armed forces officials are also appearing as well as regional proxies of the HAT. 

The rice of Tiko has, thus, been largely” dilapidated” within some months. Although, Voninahitsy Jean Eugène and Pety Rakotoniainas are retaliating to defend their cause. They are accusing the minister for Trade of having extracted some 1800 tons of rice from the harbour, for personal gain.  

Pety Rakotoniaina, appointed administrator of Fianarantsoa’s town hall shortly after the Coup back in mid-March, is denying any plundering of Tiko’s rice. According to him, the cargo has been sold cheaply to the population.  

As one of the recent Maputo agreements had foreseen the “protection” of Marc Ravalomanana’s belongings, the perpetrated abuse concerning Tiko’s rice has been denounced by the supporters of the ousted president. This matter of fact is currently considered as being one of the signs of the failure to respect the Maputo agreement by the Andry Rajoelina mobility.