Reactions to the Madagascar leaders meeting in Seychelles

Sir James Mancham, the first President of the Seychelles, writes to Nation, the island’s main daily newspaper, to give his reaction to the meeting between Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana of Ma

Sir James Mancham, the first President of the Seychelles, writes to Nation, the island’s main daily newspaper, to give his reaction to the meeting between Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana of Madagascar.

Sir James Mancham took the opportunity to publicly congratulate President James Michel of Seychelles for the initiative to bring national reconciliation in Madagascar.

Published below is the letter addressed to the Editor of the Nation newspaper in Victoria, Seychelles:

Dear Sir:

In my capacity as the founding President of the Republic of Seychelles, as an elected member of COMESA’s [Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa] Committee of Elders, and as the recipient of the Gusi Peace Prize Award 2011 for Statesmanship, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to President James A. Michel for the great initiative he has embarked upon in an endeavor to bring national reconciliation to our neighboring island/continent “Madagascar.”

Referring to the situation between Canada and its big neighbor, the USA, the late Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau stated that “whenever the US elephant trembles, it shakes the grass on Canadian soil.” The same situation applies with respect to Seychelles and the other small nations of the western Indian Ocean, vis-à-vis Madagascar. In fact, the population of the small nations cannot sleep in total peace until and unless peace and stability is restored on the big island.

Over the years since its independence, Seychelles has made it a point never to interfere in the internal politics of the big island. Having recognized this important factor, President Michel has availed of his position as President of the Commission de L’Océan Indien (COI) to invite the two contenders for Malagasy presidentship, Mr. Andry Rajoelina of the Transitional Government, and former President Marc Ravalomanana, for a meeting on Desroches island with a view to an agreement towards national reconciliation under the aegis of SADC of which Seychelles is an active member. This initiative will certainly add another colorful and impressive feather to President Michel’s cap, whatever be the ultimate outcome of the rendezvous.

Only last month, President Michel invited Mauritius’ Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam to Seychelles to commemorate the signing of a joint Seychelles-Mauritius agreement to share the ownership of the Mascarene Plateau instead of fighting over it.

The leaders of Madagascar must be motivated by a sense of “noble enlightenment,” with a view to achieve a necessary fundamental political transformation within their society in the national interest.

Considering recent history, it would appear that thus far those contending for the leadership of the Malagasy nation, first think of themselves than the political factions they represent – with Madagascar coming in third place. So long as they continue to think in this order of priority, Madagascar will remain divided, and her people will dwell in the abyss of more problems, more difficulties, and more confrontations.

With bankruptcy on the doorstep and confusion nationwide, the current leaders have no choice but to realize that the time has come to think about Madagascar first, and in these circumstances, sincerely and energetically espouse a sustainable policy of national reconciliation.

Shaking hands over such an agreement by the two contending leaders before they leave Desroches island would be welcomed not only in Madagascar, in the region, but also internationally, as in today’s global village, Madagascar has a vital contribution to make both politically and economically.

Indeed, all those participating in the high-level dialogue on Desroches island will be historically remembered for the contribution they make towards bringing long-awaited peace and stability in Madagascar. I wish them success in their challenging tasks.

Yours faithfully,
James R. Mancham

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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