Andry Ralijaona: Former Secretary-General of the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) ; What do UA and their backers want?

octobre 18, 2014 in 2014, A right not a law, activism, Andry Ralijaona, Citizen journalism, Copyleft, Crisis, Democracy, Diplomacy, English, ICT, Information, Injustice, internet, Malagasy, MAP, Marc Ravalomanana, Politics, Promoting Political Participâtion from People!, Revolution web2.0, society, T4D-M4D, Web 2.0

After the -prompt- French official declaration of yesterday, supporting the AU and the government, I was left wondering: “so what?” Of course what has been achieved must be protected. However, it looks to me that once again, as we have often seen now, there are discrepancies between what the IC’s truth and the Malagasy reality.

Says « Jeannine d’Itaosy” which by the way seems to reflect and Malagasy’s opinions and foreigners

Another article that might help decode what is going on behind the backstage

1 –  What have the UA and their backers really achieved?

– allowing a coup regime stay for 5 years by calling it “transition »
– draft a roadmap which is only enforced at 50% or so; a roadmap that satisfies the bribed politicians and not the Malagasy people
– a recent election

2 –  What does a reconciliation entail?

– to be face to face, unless we invent the concept of virtual reconciliation 2.0
– to get the full picture, to know the facts and circumstances of several events in the history of the country, 2009, 2002 etc
– to “come out” and get rid of all bitterness, and other negative feelings
– to offer different perspectives so that “the other party” may understand why one “acted like s/he did or said what s/he said”
– to pardon, to forgive, so that unfortunate words not be repeated again or undesired acts not be repeated again

3 – What do Malagasy want?

– there are different aspirations, different ideas; but I would hope there is a common interest in « the truth”, in “living in peace”, and restore honesty and good governance
– and let’s remember: not all of us long for the reconciliation as this would shrink business opportunities or would potentially lead to social embarrassment (which still seems a behavioral influencer)

4 –  What do UA and their backers want?

– to protect their “achievement”, what is perceived as a defendable, politically correct process of democracy restoration; the Malagasy have yet to understand that this is not necessarily aligned with what they really want;
– to « sneak in” the interests of their countries or their friends’ interests (e.g. Maurice as a hub for trafficking woods from Madagascar during the AU transition)

Exit opportunity

I understand part of the IC is embarrassed because here is a man who has been waiting for their good will for 6 years or so, a man some have believed they have made people forget, a man they believed was playing golf somewhere in the South of Johannesburg, has now appeared like a messiah before the Malagasy people. His biggest fault is to unveil others’ shortfalls. Hiding behind a “he didn’t tell us” is not really mature.

On “he is not trustworthy; he lied that SADC and few countries back him?” Think again; there were promisses made; maybe not in 2014 but before then, certainly.

And on “destabilizing declarations”, he really said: “I’m not going to wait for 2018”. Most interpreted it as: “not wait for 2018 to seize power”. Guys: you’re losing your cool. The man is closer to an admirable genius than a stupid man. Work with him! Make it “I’m not going to wait for 2018 …before I start contributing to the reconstruction of the country”! He is fully capable of doing that, more than anyone. Very few believed he could fly back on his own. Just believe; he is more than capable of mobilizing many Malagasy to reconstruct what has been destroyed. Let him work, he will let you harvest the honor of his work. All will be happy! Or rather, there are going to be many more happy people than unhappy people; after all, that is democracy.

Andry Ralijaona
Washington DC

The return of the « Dada » – Ravalomanana

octobre 16, 2014 in A right not a law, activism, Activisme, Ambassade des Etats Unis, Andranomena, Andry Rajoelina, Andry Rajoelina et Marc Ravalomanana, Citizen journalism, Communauté Internationale, Conseil d'Etat, Conseil d'Etat Malagasy, Corruption, Crise Politique, Crisis, Culture, Democracy, Democratie, Diplomacy, Election, elections, Embassade des Etats Unis, English, Etats-Unis, Facebook, Fatma Samoura, Fiainam-pirenena, Flair politique, Injustice, journalisme citoyen, Journaliste citoyen, justice, Lalao Ravalomanana, Liberte d'expression, Madagascar, Madagascar dans une crise interminable, Marc Ravalomanana, Media citoyen, Mpanao politika, Non classé, Politics, Politika, Politique, Premier Ministre, US Embassy, US Embassy Madagascar, US-CANADA, Zon'olombelona

Former president Marc Ravalomanana finally stepped on the Malagasy territory, his homeland on sunday 12th october in the night. A land where his followers call him: Dada, or father. Where he was once democratically elected as Chief of State then thrown out of power by a controversial coup d’état in 2009. A transition government was put in place reigning over the not so glorious years of political instability. This time around, Dada successfully entered the Malagasy territory without the typically mediatised declaration of his arrival. Surprising many of his followers – Dada is back !

Back to bickering 
Dada’s arrival was followed by predictable controversies. The current President Rajaonarimampianina announced that he has been arrested, emphasis added, to ensure his safety. Dada has actually been placed “in a supervised area” to ensure his safety. Clearly he has been invisibly hand cuffed and imprisoned by the authorities in a naval base in the North of the island in Diego Suarez. None of the Government officials hierarchically competent to decide on such matter was present at the conseil de gouvernement that was to decide on Dada’s fate. General Dominique Rakotozafy, minister of Défence, Didier Gérard Paza, secretary to the gendarmerie nationale, as well as the minister of “public security” who would be the principal decision maker on such issues were not involved the meeting. Once again, the lack of transparency on defining events in Madagascar’s political future is not surprising.

Dada « the martyr? » 
Where should we start? A shady house arrest, that was not decided by a tribunal, without a warrant, I presume, thus devoid of any legal basis. It was in fact a decision taken by the conseil de gouvernement, thus by the executive branch. Should we call it a “kidnapping” or an “arbitrary arrest”? Thus in violation of the rights of a former Chief of State, a legislation upheld in Madagascar as well as articles 5 and 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was ratified and implemented by the Malagasy Government.

If Ravalomanana, was a danger to another person, to the population, to national security, similar measure emanating from the legislative branch could potentially apply. However, as President Rajaonarimampianina declared, he had been locked away in Diego on the basis of security threats. In the legislation on the rights of former Chief of State, it is possible to assign military type of surveillance if such threat is suspect and there are reasonable grounds that Dada was indeed in danger. Needless to say, it is only a matter of the most simple research to conclude that Dada under house arrest was an arbitrary decision.

The government of Rajaonarimampianina should calculate his actions carefully since such blatant abuse of Dada’s right is unacceptable even when rubber stamped by the SADC and FRANCE, who in fact congratulated him on obvious violations.

To be continued ….
The contradictory opinions of the international community : SADC and la belle FRANCE

Michaella A’solo
The Hague

It should be a bombastic investigation

février 4, 2014 in 2014, Activisme, Ady Hevitra, Ambassade des Etats Unis, Andry Rajoelina, anosy, Communauté Internationale, Corruption, Crise Politique, Crisis, Décès, Democracy, Democratie, Dr Jean Louis Robinson, Election, elections, Embassade des Etats Unis, English, Etats-Unis, Facebook, Fahantrana, Fanaparam-pahefana, Fanapareham-pahefana, Fandraisana andraikitra, Faty, Fiainam-pirenena, fifidianana, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Injustice, Injustice sociale, internet, journalisme citoyen, Journaliste citoyen

Shocked …. the Malagasy were left on 25 January following the inaugurals.

The new president Hery Rajaonarimapianina was welcomed by a scandal. One that claimed the life of an innocent two years old and injured 37 other from a grenade explosion at a bus stop. It was reportedly initiated by a white man in a 4×4 or on foot. The facts are unclear. It happened 200 yards from the swearing in ceremony. Immediately following the blast it was still too early and too sensitive to jump into conclusion. However, with a few days to gain some perspective it is time to question, set the facts straight and investigate.

The innocent victims were rushed to the emergency.
Flowers were left in remembrance. Buzzes were launched in social media such as facebook and twitter. Eager to find out more, we have been closely monitoring the media. Surprisingly the news did not make the headlines the next day. Information are trickling down but nothing sufficiently clear to draw any conclusion. Needless to say such crime cannot be left unpunished. As it stand a serious investigation should be carried out. In fact it is an opportunity for the new government to demonstrate its commitment to end impunity. The media is already using powerful terms such as « Terrorism. » Isn’t that too extreme without clear investigation? Terrorism is defined as « the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes. » Thus a political element must be proven. If it is politically related, one can only wonder what the verdict would be.

The press reported a 4×4 driven by military personnel visiting Antanimora, the capital’s prison, to free theirs friends. When asked whether they had a decision issued by the tribunal that would allow their action, they were unable to produce one. The situation was so confusing that following an emergency meeting chaired by the leaders in the military a number of military personnel and civilians were thrown back into prison. They were freed again later during the week. Apparently they negotiated between themselves so as to avoid any escalation of violence. Between the uncertainty of the investigation, the shock of the loss of a two year old’s life, the too many victims fighting for survival, the tragedy and the story continues to unfold with pieces of information in the media.

Whether politically motivated or other these victims deserve more than just flowers. The population need to be reassured that their newly elected President is truly committed to ending impunity for such crimes. Ceasing political episode which was led by savages abusing power and authority. Time ! It is time for real change. Where art thou Mr President ? Rendering justice to innocents is your first test.

Michaella