Madagascar president starts new term amid opposition boycott

In a ceremony attended by six African presidents and a crowd of 50,000, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina commenced his new term on Saturday, dismissing an opposition boycott and international apprehensions about the nation’s future.

Despite the absence of former presidents Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, early signs of tension emerged as they are part of an opposition coalition that decried a “constitutional coup d’etat” leading up to the November 16 vote.

Demonstrations were prohibited in the capital, Antananarivo, for five days prior to the ceremony. With most opposition candidates boycotting the election, Rajoelina secured victory with 46 percent voter turnout.

Facing international pressure, Rajoelina’s administration received concerns from the European Union, the United States, and major donor countries about “tensions and incidents” during the campaign. The US State Department cited irregularities in the electoral process, and Western nations jointly urged Rajoelina to restore confidence, foster dialogue, and implement legal and electoral reforms.

In a country grappling with economic crisis and a population where 75 percent live below the poverty level, Rajoelina pledged to dedicate his new term to improving livelihoods. Madagascar, the world’s leading vanilla producer, faces economic challenges, exacerbated by a drop in vanilla prices and an imbalanced balance of payments.

As the president distributed solar lamps in impoverished areas of the capital, criticism from the opposition led to accusations of irresponsibility, although Rajoelina expressed willingness to collaborate with “constructive” elements.

Some opposition activists, including Rina Randriamasinoro, the secretary general of the TIM opposition party, faced legal consequences with Randriamasinoro receiving a two-year jail term for participating in a prohibited pre-election demonstration. The challenges ahead include addressing international concerns, fostering internal dialogue, and implementing reforms to stabilize Madagascar’s political and economic landscape.