Madagascar: A Thief Is Always A Thief

The coup may still unravel. It seems that the people of Madagascar are now appreciating the damage done to their country’s reputation
by mayor Rajoelina, who at 34 is not even old enough to be president; Madagascar’s constitution calls for age 40 at least.

[Black Star News Editorial]

A thief is a thief whether he steals a loaf of bread or a whole presidency as is the case with the thug Andry Rajoelina, the mayor of Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, who felt he deserved to be president.

Last week, knowledgeable in thuggish street tactics, the mayor mobilized treasonous members of the army to force the country’s democratically elected president Marc Ravalomanana from office.

We denounced the mayor in a previous column and also criticized the Obama Administration for not saying a word as the slow-motion coup materialized. As we pointed out, all President Obama need to have done was mention the word “Madagascar.”

Instead, nothing was said, and the mutineers felt emboldened. They moved slowly, perhaps almost praying that a respectable power such as the United States would say the era of coups d’état must end in Africa.

The coup may still unravel. It seems that the people of Madagascar are now appreciating the damage done to their country’s reputation by mayor Rajoelina, who at 34 is not even old enough to be president; Madagascar’s constitution calls for age 40 at least.

The mayor claims he was sworn in Sunday as president; under what Constitution? How can he uphold a document which clearly states that he is too young to be eligible?

Madagascar’s citizens have taken to the streets to demand that the mayor leave State House and return to City Hall.

The African Union has acted quickly and will impose sanctions very soon, according to the foreign affairs minister of powerful South Africa.

It’s still not too late for the United States to clearly and firmly state that the deposed president must be restored to complete the two years left on his term.

No matter what type of flashy suit he wears, mayor Rajoelina is a thief.

The mayor stole something very precious from the voters in Madagascar–Democracy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *