Madagascar
Malagasy troubles continue

afrol News, 24 April - While the implementation of the Dakar agreement between the two rivals to the Presidency of Madagascar still is failing, new concerns about the human rights situation on the island are expressed. There is however still hope the parties will find a solution as the votes of the failed December poll are being recounted.

The continued blockade of the Malagasy capital, Antananarivo, by supporters of President Didier Ratsiraka is the main concern in Madagascar. While Antananarivo-based rival Marc Ravalomanana has withdrawn his claim to the presidency, he still refuses to dismantle his government until the results of the recount are published. Partisan governors supporting President Ratsiraka demand the dismantling of Ravalomanana's government before removing the roadblocks. 

Under the on 18 April Dakar agreement, Ravalomanana was to retract his declaration that he was president, while both were to respect the free movement of goods and people throughout the country. Pending on the result of the recount, a new government should be formed. The agreement did not especially mention the dissolution of Ravalomanana's government before the forming of a new government, though its legitimacy may be questioned by the fact that the "President" that named it has withdrawn his claim to the presidency. His Prime Minister, Jacques Sylla, however insists that his government remain in power.

If the recount of votes by the High Constitutional Court (HCC) shows that Marc Ravalomanana's claim was right, and that he had won the December poll outright, Ratsiraka is to handle over the presidency to him. If the recount does not give either candidate 50 percent of the vote, a referendum will be held within six months to decide Madagascar's next leader. Meanwhile, Ratsiraka will remain President, while Ravalomanana is to be named President of the new Superior Transitional Council, the second office in state hierarchy. Together, the will name a transitional government for these six months. 

On the positive side, both Ratsiraka and Ravalomanana today ordered their followers to stop the violence. The two men, which at first had been reluctant to meat, were observed embracing each other after signing the Dakar agreement in an act that gave the impression they had reached personal reconciliation. Both seemed to fear to go down in Malagasy history as responsible for an envisaged civil war. Their radicalised followers now seem to be more partisan than the two candidates themselves.

- Nothing can justify bloodshed, Ratsiraka was quoted by the news agency PANA to have said in a telephone address broadcast by public television TVM last Saturday. Failure in the Dakar talks "would have dishonoured our nation," he observed. He called for the "strict observance" of the provisions of the agreement, but was "not very explicit" over the issue of lifting the Antananarivo blockade, PANA observed. Ravalomanana meanwhile called for the removal of the roadblocks "as the first sign of goodwill."

While the conflict is ongoing, concerns are that human rights violations by the radicalised mob might turn even more systematic. Amnesty International on Monday warned that "reports of human rights violations have increased dramatically over the past few weeks." 

- The turbulence which has characterized the political situation in Madagascar in the past months has unleashed a wave of human rights violations which the outside world has largely ignored," the human rights watchdogs said. At least 35 people, including more than 20 civilians, are reported to have been killed since the violence erupted. "No side has been prepared to speak out for human rights," the group added.

Especially concerning cases included those of two women on 16 April, who, apparently transporting food from their village to sell at a local market, were shot dead in Fianarantsoa by soldiers loyal to Ratsiraka. An army general, wounded in an exchange of fire in the same town, was later reported to have been assassinated in hospital. Amnesty was also seriously concerned at reports that Roland Ravalomaso, an activist supporter of Didier Ratsiraka, died in custody shortly after being arrested by supporters of Marc Ravalomanana. Ravalomaso had been arrested in the capital Antananarivo on 9 April.

Also on Monday, the Council of the European Union welcomed the positive signals dominating last week's news from Madagascar. The EU noted the Dakar agreement "with satisfaction" as it was in line with EU objectives: the pursuit of civilian peace; respect for the principles of democracy; and political solution to the crisis. It was important that "this agreement be applied in full," the EU stated.

The EU also indicated it would be prepared for its part to offer political and technical support for the implementation of the agreement and to assist in organising any elections by sending international observers. "The agreement will enable the European Union to continue implementing its assistance and cooperation programmes," it concluded.

Sources: Based on press reports, Dakar agreement and afrol archives 

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