ZERO TOLERANCE both for vengeance, and for impunity

Madagascar Tribune?s headlines read, ?Leaning toward a special tribunal?? Express Madagascar reports ?The manhunt is over.? The press widely speculated over the new leadership?s decision to realign their perspective, and to rein in the abusive arrests which followed President Marc Ravalomanana?s control over the entire territory. Although the handling of some arrests has begun to raise serious concerns within the International Community, the new Malagasy President, and the Prime Minister were quick to react and reassure them. Jacques Sylla, the Prime Minister officially stated, ?The Malagasy judicial system is ready to crush the cycle of impunity which the sore losers still believed could work in their favor, as it did in the past, for their infamous heroes.? Express de Madagascar, sees this as ?zero tolerance for impunity.?

Madagascar Tribune wonders, ?If there is a trial, will the accused be tried in a special tribunal, or a regular courtroom? Often, a special tribunal is created for trying exceptional cases. The problem is that such a tribunal is usually synonymous with vengeance, and reprisals.?

As to Didier Ratsiraka?s intention ?to keep up the fight?, Madagascar Tribune states, ?The man has fled to the security of a foreign country, leaving his friends to languish, and rot in prison. Now that they see his true colors, and know his modus operandi on the battle field, it is questionable whether or not they will be so eager to pledge allegiance to him, this time.? Cautiously, this daily publication states, ?It is a fact that France is urging those political figures, in asylum on her soil, to exercise some restraint. However, who knows?…?

Onto other subjects, the press has highlighted France?s wish ?to remain Madagascar?s main financial backer?, and Marc Ravalomanana?s statement which indicates that ?the army will no longer be used as a political tool. Instead, from now on, its one and only purpose will be to defend the country.?

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana