MADAGASCAR: THE BABY FACE OF A MONSTAR
Chijioke Osumo
April 16, 2009
Last month Madagascarīs president, Marc Revalomanana, resigned and handed over power to the military after more than two months of protests by Andry Rajoelina, The countryīs main opposition leader. A day after the army seized power, Rejoelina, a 34 year old occupies the presidential compound as president, despite his being under aged, according to the constitutions of the country to be president. The question is would this amount to a coup dīetat or a legitimate transfer of power?.
Africa was known for her various coups dīetat and others forms of illegitimate governments but now, due to international pressure against undemocratic governments coups are becoming unpopular around the world.
Madagascars military and their civilian collaborators have developed a new brand of cosmetic faced coup. If not resisted may become a wrong and dangerous precedence in Africa. Africa leaders are known to ape one another on their social, economic and political policies as such other leaders may follow that pattern - just get an acceptable civilian seize power by force and hand over to him. Then operate alongside in the shadows. Military government in any guise never brings any meaningful development to any country in Africa.
Mr. Rajoelina promised to organize a presidential election within 18 24 months. But this can never be, itīs an immediate promise to secure both internal and external support. Letīs note that the last president installed by a coup on that island controlled the country, destructively for 26 years until a presidential election in 2001. The island army had tasted powers for quite a long time and still relishing on its adventures into governance.
Rajoelina, a 34-year-old desperado, has started on illegality and disrespect to constitutional provisions by the use of brutal force and lies. Nothing more would be expected from him than these despicable attributes.
He is 6 years younger, constitutionally, to be president, he lied on his being supported by the family of the former president Dider Ratsiraka, whose reluctance to leave office after his electoral defeat in 2002 sparked massive demonstration. There is no national interest in all that but a clash of personalities and their personal interest. Those personal interest is the undulating storm that does not allow the economy and politics of Madagascar to rest for any meaningful development.
Itīs said that Rajoelina is ridding on the wave of public support but ordinary Madagascans, about 70% population are socially and economically dehumanized, even if not psychologically twisted, living within a lowest living standard about less than a dollar per day may not but subscribe to any kind of change in anticipation for a better, but illusory day ahead. They (Malagasy) imagined great virtues on Rajoelina and his energetic campaign style.
I am not speaking in support of president Ravalomanana, the ousted president of Madagascar but speak in support of the rule of law and the protection of the sovereign constitution of the people of Madagascar. I believe that meaningful economic development, which an average citizen of that country wants, could be achieved in a lawful and constitutional environment. According to a respondent Tahiana Rakotoniaina, a financial consultant, he said, "he did not believe Rajoelina is capable of running the country and he did not believe Ravalomananaīs supporters would accept defeat quietly". At this, a civil war may not be far away from here. Lets not forget that the army supports Rajoelina after a muting by the military police the gendarme who could no longer take order from the government that shows there is a serious crack within the military ranks - which may be a time bomb waiting to explode.
Why is Madagascar in this political quagmire? Is it power ambition by some elements in the country, like Rajoelina and military officers or a device by the political class to attract international attention and sympathy? Madagascar, African country, isolated may be on Indian ocean off the major continent of Africa may be seeking for relevance and a sense of belonging, whatever may be the reason, it calls for a serious concern and proactive action taken, to forestall further damages to life and economic development.
Whatīs to be done? This is not a time for oral condemnation alone but action, stiff action by all within and without Madagascar. International community should stitch in time to save this impoverished Island from the hand of political desperados and economic manipulators. African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) should suspend Madagascar and put up pressures diplomatically and otherwise to make for a reversal to a constitutional order and civil rule. In event of a civil war these organizations would contribute considerably, itīs safe to prevent an advert of war or civil disobedience and total breakdown of law and order, even a genocide. In addition, if a stern action in taken on Madagascar that would deter another desperado within Africa who may attempt military dictatorship in disguise letīs this be taken as a precedence by other leader. This may have happened because AU condoned last year forceful change in Mauritania. This most stop! Less Africa returns, if she had left, to a continent of coups and counter coups.
United Nation (UN), European Union (EU) and other donor agencies should cut-off aids, and other development assistance forthwith. We may consider the attendant adverse effect on the populace yes, in the obvious, but this can waver their support against an illegitimate and forceful government. Rajoelina is ridding on an illusory public support motivated by desperation and poverty. If development assistance is taken away, he can not have an answer to its negative consequences that can make him to revert reasonably to lawful means to achieve his political ambition and permit meaningful dialogue as it stands now, he is not open to a dialogue.
United States of America has been adjudged to be the defender of world democracy, human right and rule of law. I expect the US to give visible support to AU and SADC; this will serve as a serious signal to the present authority in Madagascar. America should see Madagascar as America interest, because as it stands now, America interest is globalizing, no more to some few favoured allies.
Also, let all resist constitution change in Madagascar, at least at present, as this will mean that Rajoelina, may amend the constitution to accommodate himself, being under-aged to occupy the office of president in Madagascar. The country should not be stopped in her development, just to accommodate him and his quest to be president.
In addition, Madagascar should be made to understand the negative consequences of a possible economic sanction in event of her insistence on not reverting to a constitutional position.
Finally, Rajoelina should hand over government to a legitimate authority to conduct an election. In the constitution of Madagascar, in event of a presidentīs resignation, the head of parliamentīs upper house should take over power and organize election within two months. As such, constitutional provision should be obeyed and a prime minister be subsequently appointed. Any other action, than this should be termed an illegality. Furthermore, in the event, that Marc Ravalomanana never resigned on his own freewill, but may have been forced by the military; he (Ravalomanana) should be restored, as the elected president of Madagascar to complete his tenure of office.
I believe, whatever may be the internal realities within Madagascar democracy, rule of law and human right should be the consensus of international position.
Africa was known for her various coups dīetat and others forms of illegitimate governments but now, due to international pressure against undemocratic governments coups are becoming unpopular around the world.
Madagascars military and their civilian collaborators have developed a new brand of cosmetic faced coup. If not resisted may become a wrong and dangerous precedence in Africa. Africa leaders are known to ape one another on their social, economic and political policies as such other leaders may follow that pattern - just get an acceptable civilian seize power by force and hand over to him. Then operate alongside in the shadows. Military government in any guise never brings any meaningful development to any country in Africa.
Mr. Rajoelina promised to organize a presidential election within 18 24 months. But this can never be, itīs an immediate promise to secure both internal and external support. Letīs note that the last president installed by a coup on that island controlled the country, destructively for 26 years until a presidential election in 2001. The island army had tasted powers for quite a long time and still relishing on its adventures into governance.
Rajoelina, a 34-year-old desperado, has started on illegality and disrespect to constitutional provisions by the use of brutal force and lies. Nothing more would be expected from him than these despicable attributes.
He is 6 years younger, constitutionally, to be president, he lied on his being supported by the family of the former president Dider Ratsiraka, whose reluctance to leave office after his electoral defeat in 2002 sparked massive demonstration. There is no national interest in all that but a clash of personalities and their personal interest. Those personal interest is the undulating storm that does not allow the economy and politics of Madagascar to rest for any meaningful development.
Itīs said that Rajoelina is ridding on the wave of public support but ordinary Madagascans, about 70% population are socially and economically dehumanized, even if not psychologically twisted, living within a lowest living standard about less than a dollar per day may not but subscribe to any kind of change in anticipation for a better, but illusory day ahead. They (Malagasy) imagined great virtues on Rajoelina and his energetic campaign style.
I am not speaking in support of president Ravalomanana, the ousted president of Madagascar but speak in support of the rule of law and the protection of the sovereign constitution of the people of Madagascar. I believe that meaningful economic development, which an average citizen of that country wants, could be achieved in a lawful and constitutional environment. According to a respondent Tahiana Rakotoniaina, a financial consultant, he said, "he did not believe Rajoelina is capable of running the country and he did not believe Ravalomananaīs supporters would accept defeat quietly". At this, a civil war may not be far away from here. Lets not forget that the army supports Rajoelina after a muting by the military police the gendarme who could no longer take order from the government that shows there is a serious crack within the military ranks - which may be a time bomb waiting to explode.
Why is Madagascar in this political quagmire? Is it power ambition by some elements in the country, like Rajoelina and military officers or a device by the political class to attract international attention and sympathy? Madagascar, African country, isolated may be on Indian ocean off the major continent of Africa may be seeking for relevance and a sense of belonging, whatever may be the reason, it calls for a serious concern and proactive action taken, to forestall further damages to life and economic development.
Whatīs to be done? This is not a time for oral condemnation alone but action, stiff action by all within and without Madagascar. International community should stitch in time to save this impoverished Island from the hand of political desperados and economic manipulators. African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) should suspend Madagascar and put up pressures diplomatically and otherwise to make for a reversal to a constitutional order and civil rule. In event of a civil war these organizations would contribute considerably, itīs safe to prevent an advert of war or civil disobedience and total breakdown of law and order, even a genocide. In addition, if a stern action in taken on Madagascar that would deter another desperado within Africa who may attempt military dictatorship in disguise letīs this be taken as a precedence by other leader. This may have happened because AU condoned last year forceful change in Mauritania. This most stop! Less Africa returns, if she had left, to a continent of coups and counter coups.
United Nation (UN), European Union (EU) and other donor agencies should cut-off aids, and other development assistance forthwith. We may consider the attendant adverse effect on the populace yes, in the obvious, but this can waver their support against an illegitimate and forceful government. Rajoelina is ridding on an illusory public support motivated by desperation and poverty. If development assistance is taken away, he can not have an answer to its negative consequences that can make him to revert reasonably to lawful means to achieve his political ambition and permit meaningful dialogue as it stands now, he is not open to a dialogue.
United States of America has been adjudged to be the defender of world democracy, human right and rule of law. I expect the US to give visible support to AU and SADC; this will serve as a serious signal to the present authority in Madagascar. America should see Madagascar as America interest, because as it stands now, America interest is globalizing, no more to some few favoured allies.
Also, let all resist constitution change in Madagascar, at least at present, as this will mean that Rajoelina, may amend the constitution to accommodate himself, being under-aged to occupy the office of president in Madagascar. The country should not be stopped in her development, just to accommodate him and his quest to be president.
In addition, Madagascar should be made to understand the negative consequences of a possible economic sanction in event of her insistence on not reverting to a constitutional position.
Finally, Rajoelina should hand over government to a legitimate authority to conduct an election. In the constitution of Madagascar, in event of a presidentīs resignation, the head of parliamentīs upper house should take over power and organize election within two months. As such, constitutional provision should be obeyed and a prime minister be subsequently appointed. Any other action, than this should be termed an illegality. Furthermore, in the event, that Marc Ravalomanana never resigned on his own freewill, but may have been forced by the military; he (Ravalomanana) should be restored, as the elected president of Madagascar to complete his tenure of office.
I believe, whatever may be the internal realities within Madagascar democracy, rule of law and human right should be the consensus of international position.
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