madagascar press

Ambodivona, April 4, 2024. In the Muslim religion, Iftar constitutes the stage of breaking the fast during Ramadan. But it also marks a great moment of Fraternity, Solidarity and Sharing between and for all, whatever the religious confession. To mark this Iftar (meal which is taken every evening by Muslims at sunset during the fast of the month of Ramadan), the President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina, responded to the invitation of the Association of Muslims of Madagascar .

For the President of this association, Sheikh Abdoul Hady, it is the first time in its history that a Malagasy head of state is present and takes part orally in this great moment of the Brotherhood of Muslim Believers. Also present were senior government officials and officials, diplomats and heads of Christian churches in Madagascar.

On this Friday, April 4, preceding the end of Ramadan for the year 2024, President Andry Rajoelina delivered a brief speech, the main points of which are:

Ladies and gentlemen Parliamentarians,

Ladies and gentlemen members of the government,

Ladies and gentlemen members of the diplomatic corps,

Monsignor the Apostolic Nuncio,

Dear Presidents of the Muslim associations of Madagascar,

Mr President of the Muslims of Madagascar,

Dear Father Pedro,

To all Muslims across the country.

My dear friends.

It is a great pleasure to be among you today to celebrate together this Ifrat of fraternity, as part of the holy month of Ramadan. In order to share with you this fast-breaking meal. As we say in Malagasy “one life one provision”. It is also said that the closest “Sharing the raw and the cooked”.

I am here to unite, as was said earlier, the Malagasy people. Unite them whether they are Christians or Muslims. What brings us together here is Madagascar, our country. And we ask Allah and God to bless our country. And as was said earlier, Faith is very important in life. Faith is our pillar. There are people alive but who are dead because they do not have Faith.

And we can differentiate those who have Faith from those who do not. With Faith, even in the darkness we see the light; in difficulties we see the solution. Even the sick, as was said earlier, can be cured of cancer with Faith.

Faith guides our path and our actions. My presence among you testifies to my solidarity with the entire Muslim community during this time of celebration. Because I know that Ramadan represents a time to turn to Allah,/towards God, opening hearts to Purification and Forgiveness. For a whole month you fasted from sunrise to sunset.

You know, love of one’s neighbor is common to all religions. And the strong message from all those who spoke earlier is Solidarity. Here I read: “ Certainly, ce Quran guides to whatil already from straighteret he announces to believers who do good works that they will have a great reward, » (Surah 17:9). This is why we are here: we must love our neighbor. Let everyone help their neighbor. That he who has to drink gives something to drink; let he who has food share. We share the same values ​​of Mutual Aid, Solidarity, Empathy towards others, in particular towards the vulnerable. This value resonates deeply in our hearts. And it is this Fraternity that brings us together, here, this evening.

Moreover, it is this Love of the Homeland that also motivates me daily, with the support of all of you, to work towards the development long awaited by the Malagasy population. The Muslim community is active and present in Malagasy society. Today the community numbers between 10-13% of the population. And this is how I thank you for all the actions undertaken by the community, in the field of Health and Education and especially in Social Actions. We must live in harmony.

This is why I would like you all to feel like brothers here in Madagascar. It is this feeling and this desire to live together which brings about the Harmony of the Union. As President of the Republic, I have continued to deploy all means in this direction.

You noticed that before my first mandate, each month there have been kidnappings of Indo-Pakistanis, particularly Muslims, in Madagascar. We have done everything we can to eradicate this scourge and I dare say that today all this is behind us. The families were left for London or Mauritius, only the men remained.

Today, I am delighted that all the families of the Muslim Community, who are Malagasy to me, have returned to the country. Currently you live in Peace and Serenity. Thus, my presence here testifies to my commitment to supporting and accompanying your actions, but also everything you undertake in Madagascar.

If there is one wish to be made now, it is that this evening be filled with joy, blessing for all, that each and every one of us be blessed; that you have Health, Serenity.

And already I wish all Muslims to celebrate with joy the Ed. May the Mercy of Allah/God accompany you./.

Retranscription: Jeannot Ramambazafy – Photos: Andry Rakotonirainy, Mialy Audrey

Clearly, there is something wrong in the land of baobabs. So, Navaz Rossanaly Molou “compliant with legal standards” about the export of gold and “agreed to play fair” ? Mr. President of the Republic, I am letting you know directly, through this article, who this Navaz Molou is. And after me the flood.

Under President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Navaz Molou was arrested in early June 2016 for trafficking 66 kg of gold. He had been convicted in absentia, by the Ordinary Criminal Court of Antananarivo, on June 21, 2016, to 7 years of forced labor and to pay a fine of one million Ariaryith confiscation of his property. Normally therefore, his sentence should have ended in June 2023. But no! Just two days after the verdict, on June 23, 2016, he disembarked from an Air Mauritius plane at Ivato airport. And, so far, under President Andry Rajoelina, it is as free as the air and is even one of the privileged in terms of legal gold export.

This document cannot be invented

Already, his flight to avoid serving his prison sentence is “extraordinary”. But his return is even more so, as if he had only waited for the election of candidate Andry Rajoelina to be able to return pure as a lamb just born. By association of ideas, the current President of the Republic would therefore be his projector? Doubt is more than permitted (mining)… However, this suggests that there are orders coming from higher than the President of the Republic, given that he was free to sit to the right of Minister Herindrainy Olivier Rakotomalala, considered by the newspaper “The Echo of the South” like a character who « brings a wealth of experience and deep knowledge of the mining sector to Madagascar”. Ah good ? For the Ecofin agency, this Malagasy Minister of Mines declared, in 2023: « The transparency of the extractive sector has been positive for Madagascar from 2022”. Positive in what way, please, Sir?

This article is based on evidence. Navaz Molou is said to have ties to the Radjan brothers. This is more than certain. Indeed, already, in a complaint dated March 11, 2013, Moustapha’s (or Moustafa) Radjan’s lawyer cited the Rossanaly brothers Molou Navaz, Azad and Azle by name for threatening to kill with intimidation, harassment, abusive denunciation and attempted assassination during the incarceration in Tsiafahy of Moustapha. It is the same Moustapha Radjan who was acquitted in June 2016 while Navaz Molou was sentenced to 7 years in prison, for the same case of trafficking 66 kg of gold.

On the morning of November 13, 2017, Moustafa Radjan was the subject of an attack near Ambatobe. Having been hit by three gunshots at point blank range, he miraculously escaped unscathed but still has a very nasty scar on his face, which is quite difficult to hide.

On September 19, 2020, the lifeless body of Danil Radjan, a “karana” (foreigner of Indo-Pakistani origin) of French nationality, was found in the underground parking lot of the shopping center « La City » Ankorondrano Ivandry.

As you can see on the arrest warrant, dated October 7, 2020, above, Moustafa Ameralli Radjan was charged with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of a Kalashnikov and kidnapping of a person.

Concerning this latest crime, Moustafa and his accomplice, Dilavarhoussen, had already received 20 years of forced labor, according to decree No. 706 of November 3, 2021. The tangible and real proof that Moustafa Ameralli Radjan is really the mastermind of the whole series of kidnappings which took place in urban areas in Madagascar is this: since the death of Danil Radjan on September 19, 2020, there have been no more kidnappings in the major cities of the Big Island. The kidnappings carried out in rural areas are nothing more than copy and paste carried out by bandits who act in the heat of the moment and not according to a well-established, well-thought-out plan concerning the targets.

November 6, 2023, Moustafa Radjan was sentenced by the PAC (Anti-Corruption Pole of Antananarivo) to 10 years of forced labor and 5 years of residence ban for active corruption and illicit export of gold bars. He is still at large but will be apprehended when he least expects it, here or elsewhere, because of or thanks to the scar he carries for life…

This “Maison Molou”, wholesaler-importer, is located in the Tsaralalàna district of Antananarivo

Coming back to Navaz Molou, what are the laws for in Madagascar? Instead of sitting in the office of the Minister of Mines, under the eyes of President Rajoelina – even in portrait -, he should be in prison serving his 7-year sentence, dated 2016. Who is he to dare to defy justice in Madagascar, cast doubt on the President’s efforts to fight corruption and impunity? Could it be possible that he benefited from an amnesty without the knowledge of the Malagasy people? Because in Madagascar, the word “impossible” is increasingly starting to mean nothing.

What is the link, you might ask, between Navaz Molou and Mohsine Raza? Simple but you had to do a lot of research… These two characters own gold mines near Ambilobe, in the rural commune of Betsiaka to be more precise. Much earlier and more discreet than the Chinese…

Let’s wait for the rest. Because there certainly will be. Otherwise, even Justice will no longer mean anything on the Big Island. In any case, the very presence of Navaz Molou in the office of the reappointed minister, Herindrainy Olivier Rakotomalala, as a legal exporter of gold, is really inconvenient. This is extraordinary (amazing, abnormal, bizarre, curious, strange, eccentric, exceptional, extravagant, formidable, unexpected, unusual).

Jeannot Ramambazafy

The 3rd Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF)where regional, global and thematic issues will be discussed, will be held in Antalya from March 1 to 3, 2024, under the generic theme “Advancing diplomacy in times of unrest”.

The Antalya Diplomatic Forum is a high-level dialogue platform bringing together eminent figures in the diplomatic field. The ADF constitutes a unique platform providing the opportunity for regional and global actors, mainly political leaders, diplomats, opinion makers or academics, to engage in discussions on a wide range of cross-cutting topics. global, economic, technological, cultural, aspects etc. This year, there will be 328 personalities, from backgrounds as diverse as they are diverse, to debate, discuss and propose each other’s vision, focused on the generic theme.

Madagascar will be actively present at this Antalya Diplomatic Forum, through the President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rafaravavitafika Rasata. At the start of his second term as Malagasy president, it is undeniable that the Head of State, Andry Rajoelina, will have a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogàn. We will return to this subject in a future article.

But it should be remembered that President Rajoelina congratulated President Erdogan, the day after his re-election in May 2023, in these terms: “Congratulations to President Erdogan on his re-election for a new term as head of the Republic of Turkey. We will continue to work together to further strengthen the friendship between our two Nations. Long live cooperation between Turkey and Madagascar”.

Jeannot Ramambazafy

Antalya, Sunday March 3, 2024. As planned, as part of the 3rd Diplomatic Forum in Antalya, with the same theme – but without the two other personalities initially planned -, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar, Rafaravavitafika Rasata, was part of the Panel of Leaders with Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gambia, Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the European Union and Andrea Sanke, presenter American television for TRT World (public television based in Turkyie with English as the language of publication). The speaking time allocated for each personality having been quite limited, here is the summary, translated from English, of the public debate:

Theme : Climate change: how will future generations remember us?

Findings : The immediate effects of the climate emergency on human systems, such as food security, migration and urban health, pose serious threats to global sustainable development. The global community is experiencing the consequences of accelerating climate change in the form of heat waves, severe storms, floods and droughts, as well as rising sea levels and ocean acidification. .

Unanimous suggestions : Keeping in mind that it is the younger generations who are most affected, there is no time to waste or excuses for policy makers. Rapid action and immediate adaptation to climate change are essential. Along this path, the transition to a climate-resilient, sustainable and low-carbon economy requires considerable changes in strategies.

Collected and translated from English by Jeannot Ramambazafy

Maxx Royal Resort in Antalya, Türkyie on March 2, 2024. On the sidelines of the 3rd Diplomatic Forum, the meeting between the President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, and the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took place today.

Madagascar is one of the countries to which the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, gave particular importance during this 3rd Antalya Diplomatic Forum. Indeed, President Andry Rajoelina was one of only three Heads of State received by the Turkish President today. He personally congratulated President Andry Rajoelina on his re-election as head of the Malagasy nation for the next five years.

President Erdoğan was surrounded by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Communications Director of the Turkish Presidency Fahrettin Altun and President Erdoğan’s Senior Advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic

The Malagasy President, for his part, reiterated the congratulations he had already addressed to the President Erdoğanthe day after his re-election in May 2023.

This high-level meeting between the two presidents focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries, preceded by a working meeting between President Andry Rajoelina and the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan.

Many areas of cooperation were discussed by the two sides during this meeting. Such as: the Commerce and Business sector; construction of roads and infrastructure; the Tourism sector and the construction of related infrastructure such as large hotel complexes intended to accommodate foreign tourists; the mining sector; Agriculture; Fisheries, but especially Defense and National Security as well as military strategic aspects.

Turkey is among the most powerful countries from a military point of view. This is why a military and security cooperation agreement was planned to be signed between the Large Island in the Indian Ocean and Turkey. In this context, President Erdoğan announced that he will immediately give instructions to his Minister of National Defense to begin negotiations with Malagasy officials to implement this cooperation project.

Statements by President Erdogan: ” There are many areas of cooperation between Türkiye and Madagascar, especially the economy. It is in the interest of both countries to continue their efforts to develop these areas.”.

For his part, President Rajoelina stressed that his country is open to any cooperation and recalled that Turkey is one of the leading nations in which Madagascar trusts, and which will be able to bring its experience and expertise to the implementation implementation of the main lines of the general development policy of the State or the general state policy of the Malagasy government -PGE-.

The construction of the new town in Imerintsiatosika was discussed at this meeting. It should be remembered that 90% of construction and infrastructure materials in Madagascar come from Turkey. President Andry Rajoelina was able to convince President Erdoğan of the existence of many investment sectors in Madagascar. The objective is to encourage Turkish businessmen to invest in Madagascar. The Turks, wishing to strengthen their cooperation with Madagascar, it was discussed to establish relations between businessmen of the two countries.

This meeting between the two presidents in Antalya marked the start of serious and long-term cooperation between Madagascar and Turkey. Both sides have expressed their willingness to move forward, and President Erdoğan is convinced that Madagascar has many resources to develop the country by establishing mutually beneficial or “win-win” cooperation.

ICI

As a sign of mutual trust, and to facilitate the implementation of all the ideas and projects discussed during this meeting, President Erdoğan expressed his wish for the establishment of a Malagasy embassy in his country. It was then decided that it could be created in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. In the same vein, an office of TIKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency) will be set up in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar.

One of the highlights of this official meeting was the signing of an economic and commercial cooperation agreement between Madagascar and Turkey. This signing ceremony was carried out by the Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Rasata Rafaravavitafika, and the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, in the presence of the two presidents, Andry Rajoelina and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

This agreement provides for the creation of a special commission responsible for strengthening trade relations between the two countries, commonly known as the Joint Economic Commission.

In the near future, the Turkish government will send a list of Turkish businessmen who can cooperate and help Madagascar in the realization of the new city located in Imerintsiatosika, thus demonstrating that the cooperation between the two countries will be strong and serious and that this very high-level working meeting, was fruitful.

Jeannot RAMAMBAZAFY

Sources: Malagasy and Turkish presidencies

In the center: Mrs. Josiane Yaguibou and Mialy R. Razakandisa

State Palace of Ambohitsorohitra, Tuesday 27 February 2024. Mrs. Mialy R. Rajoelina, First Lady of the Republic of Madagascar, and Champion of the fight against gender-based violence (GBV), received, today, a delegation from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA in abbreviation English) in Madagascar, led by the Resident Representative, Ms. Josiane Yaguibou.

This meeting was of great importance because it made it possible to discuss, among other things, the program planned as part of the celebration of March 8, International Women’s Rights Day which will be held, for the Big Island, in the Atsinanana Region. Furthermore, the Champion of the fight against GBV reiterated her firm commitments to the common fight against violence against women and children as well as the fight against early marriage.

Both parties reaffirmed their desire to positively continue this struggle, by mutual agreement because, indeed, significant phases have been achieved in this struggle, such as:

– the establishment of a specialized center for the fight against GBV in Mahamasina accompanied by professional training and reintegration of victims;

– fruitful collaboration with public authorities including the Local Women’s Brigade and the National Gendarmerie, but also the Ministry of Justice and many others;

– the adoption of legal texts regarding gender-based violence and the establishment of the criminal justice system;

– raising awareness among populations about gender-based violence and its socio-economic and health consequences.

What is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)?

UNFPA is one of the four founding members of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), established on March 17, 1997 by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to strengthen the coherence of United Nations development procedures at the country level. Nowadays, it constitutes the largest source of international development funds for population, family planning and maternal and child health.

UNFPA’s mission is to achieve a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person realizes their full potential. UNFPA advocates for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, quality maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education.

UNFPA acts in partnership with governments, other institutions and civil society to advance its mission. Two frameworks guide its activities: The Program of Action adopted at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development and the Millennium Development Goals, a set of eight targets aimed at reducing extreme poverty by 2015.

Regarding Madagascar, UNFPA has been present there since 1978. Currently, it is implementing its sixth cooperation program with the Government of Madagascar. UNFPA promotes national execution by aligning its interventions with national priorities to ensure national ownership.

Jeannot Ramambazafy

Sources: UNFPA New York and Madagascar, Fitia Association, Madagate archives