MADAGASCAR: SUPREME COURT RULES MODIFIED, A BLOW FOR THE OPPOSITION
The transitional president Andry Rajoelina
has enacted, in the Cabinet, an order to deprive his opponents from being
able to contest his decisions in the courts in order to tighten his control
of the state. The opposition will no longer be able to appeal to the Supreme
Court, which had so far monitored political contentions, to contest nominations
to the offices of prime minister or member of government. The decree also
gives free reign for Rajoelina to take legislative initiatives and potential
suspension of diplomatic relations with other countries and with international
organisms. The local and continental press is presenting Rajoelina's measures
as a further attempt to consolidate his power. Three weeks ago, the main
opponents - former presidents Marc Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsirika and
Albert Zafy - appealed against the removal of the former consensus prime
minister, Eugène Mangalaza, which Rajoelina ordered on December 18, replacing
him with a military officer, Camille Vital. In a context of greater political
tension, Rajoelina has asked his followers and local administrators to
"ignore all forms of pressure and to work in an exemplary manner to
organize transparent and democratic elections", with the legislative
elections expected to take place on March 20[AB]