11 February 2009
editorial
The bloodletting that has claimed more than 130 lives in Madagascar since it erupted more than two weeks ago is a source of serious concern. That is 130 lives too many. Such callous waste of human life could have been avoided.
But the current wave of violence has its roots in the chequered history of the world's fourth largest island. It is ironic that in 1991, 130 anti-government demonstrators, mostly supporters of the current President, March Ravalomanana, were killed by presidential security guards.
They were demonstrating against long time President, Didier Ratsiraka's, administration.
Although the Malagasy people are able to hold elections, they seem to be eluded by smooth transfer of power. It is incongruous that this time around people have been killed protesting against another young Madagascan politician, Andre Rajodine, who is known to enjoy the strong backing of the Ratsirakas. Madagascans should learn to transfer political power without having to resort to unconstitutional means. For a start, they need to revisit their constitution and effect the requisite amendments that will ensure non-recurrence of this habitual violence.
And surely bodies such the South African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union should be playing their role in that sphere instead of pampering dictators at the expense of citizens. It is also obvious that the amended constitution should include a clause stipulating presidential term limits. Ratsiraka has ruled that beautiful island for a total of 23 years, first between 1975-1993 and 1997-2002 before Ravalomanana ousted him. But since then he has made several unsuccessful attempts to return to power through elections. Undoubtedly, his repeated quest for power has to a large extent helped to stir the political pot negatively. Until African leaders learn to voluntary or constitutionally let go of the toxic power, avoid rigging the polls, and most importantly, accept the election outcome, senseless death of our ordinary citizens will continue unabated.
Unrelenting violence that followed the Kenyan, Zimbabwean and Nigerian elections could have been avoided.
By clinging to power by hook or crook, African leaders and their gullible supporters come to delude themselves that they are God's gift to their countries. African leaders and lackeys must first and foremost accept that no human being is infallible. Until we cross that Rubicon, murder and mayhem will continue to be our staple.
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1- First of all, the 1991 conflict was between Amiral Didier RATSIRAKA and Pr. Albert ZAFY, not of Mr. Marc RAVALOMANANA as the article says. Precisely, it is unacceptable that in most African countries, power is often taken through the street, but Mr. Ravalomanana Marc was democratically elected. In the Northern countries, people can express their anger and frustration toward the government or certain policies but that has never led to a coup d’Etat or to destitute the President from his seat before he can finish his term. Beside the death of certain people, the saddest thing in this whole situation is this gruesome willingness to slow down, or even to destroy the economy of Madagascar just when it starts to grow. In fact, the efforts of the actual government to boost the economy of this country has already had some concrete results because, the economic growth of this country between 2003 and 2006 is 6%. The governmental efforts to improve the social life of the population has also had tremendous impacts as infants death rates have been reduced significantly. It is, however, true that there still are challenges and difficulties to overcome so that the most vulnerable population will enjoy the impact of the economic growth. This requires everybody to work together to support the best practices and strategic reorientations where in this context of globalization, the responsibilities of the government, of the citizens, and of the unions are linked. 2- About the term limit for the President, we, in Madagascar, have already learned our lesson from the reign in power of Amiral Didier RATSIRAKA which was too long (almost a quarter of century where only the few people that surrounds him enjoyed the benefits). Our Constitution now mandates that a candidate, who is elected President, can only be elected for two other terms.
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