Do I hear Election Bells Ringing?

mai 7, 2013 dans 2013, A right not a law, activism, Citizen journalism, Copyleft, Creative Commons, Democracy, Election, English, ICT, Information, International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, internet, Madagascar, Malagasy, Politics, society, T4D-M4D, Web 2.0

Michaella

A right not a law

From the moment we open our eyes in the morning until our heads hit that pillow again at sundown, we are to “make choices”. Our decisions determine the outcome of our day and in a much larger picture our lives, even affecting the lives of others. While voting is not a law, it is a right, a nationally and internationally recognized fundamental human right. This right is entrenched in article 6 of the Malagasy Constitution, whereby sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised by way of electing in a universal and equal suffrage, the people’s representatives, our leaders. Madagascar’s Constitution further reflects its commitment to enforce the right to vote in international treaties and conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted unanimously by the UNGA in 1948, in its article 21 and the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights. Clearly, you and I can choose to exercise this right when D-day comes this year. Unless, 6 years of so-called transitional government turns into 7, will it be our Deliverance or Dooms day?

Change oh change

A general desire for “change" fervently infiltrated the sphere of global politics since the 2008 US elections; even France, ever critical of "les Yankees" was flooded with "Le Changement c’est maintenant" during the 2012 presidential race. Ironically, François Hollande armored with this slogan and a socialist party candidate was elected.

In 2009, I had the opportunity to be invited to the Presidential inauguration with a group of young international scholars. We came from all corners of the World to witness the impact of a voice, a vote, as President Barak Obama took oath publicly at the symbolic U.S Capitol. All equal, at least for a few hours, men and women; some in fur others wrapped in newspaper proudly waved their flags. I met young Republicans in tears of joy, bursting with enthusiasm and solidarity as America welcomed its new leader. That day represented the power of a vote, Republican or Democrat; they chose to exercise their right, their voice. Finding myself in a sea of American flags, the solidarity was contagious and I secretly hoped to one day witness such solidarity in my country.

Belief and desire for change was ever more fervent in 2012 when Americans from all walks of life emerged from every corner to encourage each other to vote.  The 2012 US election was a golden year of youth and minority votes; it was the first time that Latinos made up of 10% of voters and young voters made up of the largest percentage ever, including in the 2008 presidential election representing 19%. Needless to say, they were President Obama’s anchor both in 2008 and 2012, where 66% of the votes of 18-24 and 25-29 year-olds in 2008.

Certainly, Madagascar’s social, political and economic status is not comparable to the U.S. Let’s just say, we are on different wave lengths. But a nation is a nation of people with rights. When the next president takes oath, shouldn’t we feel as if we had an impact on the future of our country?

Turning point, may be?

As for Madagascar, the change fever surfaced in early 2009 in the form of a protests against the then President Ravalomanana. Forced to resign from office, Rajoelina then seized power and, with other leaders, formed an interim transitional government, the High Transitional Authority (HAT). The symbolism that accompanied these events is memorable, the power of the people to represent their political stance on the emblematic 13^th of May square.  What followed unfortunately was and remains a volatile political instability. The interim HAT is not so interim anymore, 6 years down the line. Malagasy’s lives are marked with an increase in disparities where even the middle class slipped slowly into much lower standard of living. Madagascar’s already long lasting enemy known as poverty deepened its grasp on the country substantially. Let us not be in denial or be fooled by the expensive cars, large properties and luxury shopping centres. The average Malagasy cannot afford any of that. In fact, the World Bank, poverty assessment estimates 70% fall within the category of “poor” and 59 % extremely poor.

Three little words: credible, free, fair

In an ideal world, credible, free and fair elections remains Madagascar’s perhaps only route to political stability and some form of democracy, if that is our shared vision of course. Unfortunately, past experiences have shown how the integrity of the electoral process was under siege by corruption and political manipulations. Will this be the case again in the up-coming elections? In his general observation of electoral processes in Africa, noted Professor Richard Joseph stated that “governments facing the prospects of a peaceful dismissal by the people can allow the doors of democracy to open further but such governments can also seek to slam them shut.”

Will doors of democracy be shut in the upcoming elections?

Indeed, the element of transparency is an essential factor in any decision making. Yet, already the credibility of the electoral special court (CES) was scrutinized when it was to decide on the fate of Lalao Ravalomana, wife of the ousted former President Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina, President of the HAT to feature on the list of candidate. How far do we trust the CES in shaping up the list of over 40 candidates? “The” list that is the basis of our choice and will determine Madagascar’s destiny.

Will you be my hero?  

While the situation remains volatile, I do believe the general feeling is that in search for a solution. Looking at the list of candidates it seems that everyone “wants” to be the hero. If we are left with the current list of candidates and Election Day becomes a reality, the months leading up to it will be a time to familiarize ourselves with the candidates’ agenda and start our decision making process. I confess that I am searching for political elites who match their commitment to promote the development of Malagasy people’s lives. By development I do not mean exploitation of Malagasy’s natural resources supposedly to generate euro, dollar, dollar bills, money money, money. I mean, ideally, having within their overall goal the interests of the Malagasy individual to flourish in a political, economically and socially stable island.

What now?

So where do we stand? Certainly tired of waiting for a sign of stability. Will you act, cast your vote when and if that Election Day ever comes? This generation of youth represents one of the most influential, diverse, and socially progressive generations in our history as we have experienced throughout the period of the transitional government.  The youth are engaged and taking part in Madagascar’s political debate as advocates and leaders but it is not just about young voters. It is about voters of all ages. Every Malagasy equipped with the right to vote. I shall not suggest who to vote for or why, simply because it all comes down to what you envision Madagascar’s future to be. There will be no perfect President but remember your voice will determine Madagascar’s future.

First time writing on Pakysse for my Malagasy brothers and sisters. 

Yours

Michaella A’solo

INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE – Ketakandriana Rafitoson une jeune femme engagée

septembre 12, 2012 dans 2012, Activisme, Canada, Crise Politique, Democratie, Education, Français, Information, Internautes, internet, journalisme citoyen, Ketakandriana Rafitoson, Liberte d'expression, Madagascar, Malagasy, nTIC, Politique, Société, T4D-M4D, Volunteering, Web 2.0

Ketakandriana Rafitoson avec des jeunes du monde entier durant l’assemblée Youth et World Assembly, organisées à Montréal du 3 au 7 septembre 2012.

1/ Qui est Ketakandriana Rafitoson?

Je suis juriste politologue, je suis fière d’avoir accompli presque toutes mes études à Madagascar. Je suis passionnée par l’engagement citoyen et le volontariat et suis impliquée dans plusieurs associations et ONGs dont Liberty 32 et Nova Stella. Mes chevaux de bataille sont la défense des droits de l’homme, l’éducation civique et citoyenne, et le combat pour la démocratie et la participation politique des jeunes.

2/ Est ce que tu peux expliquer la raison de ton voyage au Canada?

Je fais partie des 15 jeunes boursiers sélectionnés dans le monde entier par CIVICUS et qui ont été invités à assister aux Youth et World Assembly, organisées à Montréal du 3 au 7 septembre 2012.

3/ Ton role, tes motivations et tes attentes par rapport à la conference proprement dite (CIVICUS)?

En premier lieu, il faut noter que le thème des assemblées de cette année était "Agir ensemble pour un monde plus juste. Définir un nouveau contrat social – Construire l’avenir ensemble".
Ce thème a ensuite été décliné en trois autres sous-thèmes: (i) Changer les nations par l’action citoyenne, (ii) Des partenariats stratégiques pour l’innovation sociale et (iii) Rédéfinir la gouvernance mondiale/globale.
Comme je l’ai dit plus haut, j’ai été recrutée pour faire partie des boursiers. Nous avons conclu un contrat avec CIVICUS: écrire des blogues couvrant ces 3 sous-thèmes avant, pendant et après les assemblées et en médiatiser le plus largement possible les résultats. Mais à part cela, comme je me suis inscrite aux assemblées comme simple activiste, j’ai profité à fond de chaque session et de chaque rencontre pour enrichir mon réseau et mes connaissances, afin d’améliorer mon action au niveau local.
J’attendais beaucoup de choses des assemblées CIVICUS: des contacts, des idées, des innovations, et j’ai été servie! Ce fut une expérience unique qui a à coup sûr changé le cours de ma vie et contribué à la maturation de mon engagement.

4/ En tant que journaliste citoyenne (blogueuse), l’utilisation de la nouvelle Technologie de l’Information et de la Communication (nTIC) donne un autre aspect de ton engagement. Pourquoi?

Si j’ai des idées mais que je ne peux pas les partager, elles vont juste mourir dans ma tête et ce serait un beau gâchis. J’aime écrire, transmettre mon point de vue et susciter des réactions auprès des autres – même si ce sont souvent des critiques, j’assume. Avant, j’écrivais dans mes petits carnets, et de temps à autres, dans de petites revues. Avec Internet et les réseaux sociaux, le monde s’ouvre littéralement à moi et cela me donne un peu le tournis. C’est plaisant et terrifiant à la fois, mais en tout cas, c’est une expérience intéressante. En rédigeant des blogues et en"tweetant" pour CIVICUS par exemple, j’ai pu me rendre compte que des personnes habitant de l’autre côté de la planète partageaient mes opinions…ça m’a laissée pantoise!
Bref, les nTIC sont de formidables outils qu’il faut se donner la peine de mater et d’utiliser pour véhiculer ses idées. Dommage que l’accès à Internet à Madagascar coûte encore cher et laisse à désirer…

5/ Ton opinion concernant l’élection québécoise?

Ce fût une belle leçon de démocratie et j’en ai été hyper-jalouse, vu le grand bordel qui règne chez nous à Madagascar. Le fait que le Printemps Erable ait pu conduire à l’élection d’une femme comme Première Ministre a juste renforcé mes idéaux en matière de démocratie: liberté d’expression et de manifestation, élections libres et transparentes, alternance démocratique, équité entre hommes et femmes…Le rêve quoi!
Bien sûr, il y a eu des dérives, avant et après, mais ce sont de petits points noirs sur le tableau blanc de l’histoire politique du Québec…Comparée à notre tableau noir, cette histoire me semble presque surréaliste!!

6/ Le mot de la fin?

Je suis sortie plus qu’inspirée des assemblées mondiales de CIVICUS. J’ai des projets plein la tête et des envies irrépressibles de changement. Madagascar mérite mieux! Mais si on ne se bouge pas, rien n’arrivera…Pensez-y!

Iza no mbola mila any RAJOELINA sy ny forongony amin’izao fanapotehana any Madagasikara izao?

septembre 11, 2012 dans 2012, Ady Hevitra, Andry Rajoelina, Dahalo, Fahakiviana, Fahantrana, Fanapareham-pahefana, Fandraisana andraikitra, Fanehoana hevitra, Fiainam-pirenena, Fisainana mampahonena, Fitantanana mampiomehy, Fomba Fisainana Mivelatra, Kolikoly avo lenta, Madagasikara, Malagasy, Miaramila be galona malagasy tia kolikoly, Olom-pirenena, Politika, Samihafa, Toe-tsaina mila miova, Tontolon'ny internet, Vahoaka misy saina ny malagasy, Web 2.0

Pakysse mivanaka amin’ny tsy fahatogavan-tsainan’ny RAJOELINA (Disc Jockey) amin’izao vanim-potoanan’ny taona harivo fahatelo izao.

Amin’ny maso mijery dia azo lazaina fa tsy misy azo raisina ny resaka fitantanana ny raharaham-pirenena miaraka amin’ity lehiben’ny DAHALO ity (Andry Rajoelina).

Miaramila, mpanao gazety tradisionaly, politisianina, manam-pahaizana, olom-pirenena sns. Aiza ny andraikitra sy ny toerana misy anareo manoloana izao toe-javatra misy eto amin’ny firenena izao?

Amiko rehefa milaza ho azy fa mpitondra ny olona iray dia tokony mahafantatra ny atao hoe:"Gouverner c’est prévoir" fa tsy manao tahaka ny aliaka romotra tsy ampy taolana ka rehefa azo izay notadiaviana dia milaminna tahaka ny kisoa voky apombo.

Mampahonena ary tena mahamenatra tanteraka fa fahevendranana sy loham-boto sisa no takatrin’ny sainy RAJOELINA sy ny FORONGONY. Any vao misy fangatahana izay tena rariny sy hitsiny ataon’ireo olom-pirenena manana ny zo hangataka izany dia ny hery famoretana sy ny didin’ny be sandry no mandeha.

Araka ny naveriko matetika ho an’ireo tapaka sy namana dia tsotra:"Ry HITLER, MUSSOLINI, SADAM, BACHAR AL ASSAD, GBAGBO sns anie nihevitra ny henjana fa ny tantara no nametraka fa ZERO ry zalahy. Ity RAJOELINA ity izany dia mihevitra mihitsy fa misy ilaivana azy? Firenena tsy misy ETAT DE DROIT izany efa tsy lasa intsony."

Mahalala menatra ianareo manohana be fahatany ny HAT fa manalabaraka tanteraka. MIZENDANA be amin’ny vola tsy nosasarana dia ilay vahoaka aminio mijaly be. Anga izy ity vanim-potoanan’ny fiforetana anaty?"

Hatsipy ny tady eny an-tandrokin’ny omby ary ny teny eny am-pon’ny mahalala fa raha mbola ny fahavendranan’ny RAJOELINA amin’ny resaka fitantanana sy ny fitadiavana ny soa ho an’ny vahoaka no asian-dresaka dia andraso eo i Paoly hoy ny fitenenana.