Madagascar: And the president will be...

Hery won the Malagasy presidential election, but already Robinson cries foul play. Will there be a third round? Avoid a third round of elections. Even before the announcement of the results of the second round of presidential elections on January 3, the main concern in Madagascar was called the "lifeblood" (civil society, churches).

Hery a gagné la présidentielle malgache, mais déjà Robinson crie à la fraude. Y aura-t-il un troisième tour dans la rue? Éviter un troisième tour dans la rue. Avant même la proclamation des résultats du second tour de la présidentielle, le 3 janvier, telle était la principale préoccupation de ce qu'on appelle à Madagascar les "forces vives" (société civile, Églises).

This article has been translated from French. Click here to read the original version on Jeune Afrique.

The Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar (FFKM) did not wait for the announcement of the 53.5% victory of Hery Rajaonarimampianina (55), the candidate of the transitional president Andry Rajoelina , to call further discussion. Since the army, divided, remained silent, the strongest forces of the state demanded that steps be taken "to avoid a new crisis." There is great concern, including among international observers, that the election was tampered with, even though it had previously been described as "credible." But for now, the international community does not consider it necessary to mediate.

The current scenario is not far from getting worse. Immediately after the election, Jean-Louis Robinson , supported by the ex-president candidate Marc Ravalomanana , raised attention to the massive fraud.

These accusations were reiterated before the Special Electoral Court (CES). It has fifteen days to investigate complaints filed by the losing side. "We will continue until the end, because we have evidence that there was ballot stuffing," ensures one of Robinson's confidantes. We support the legal framework, but our office is very angry and we do not trust these institutions. We have not ruled out taking to the streets."

 Ravalomanana's return will depend on his reaction

Will Robinson decide to move? The bulk of the electorate is in the capital, Antananarivo, which recruit, for a few thousand ariarys, hordes of protesters. But "the Malagasy are tired," says a Western diplomat, "and Robinson's party is divided between hardliners and those who are willing to compromise." On the winning side, it was announced that the return home of Ravalomanana, exiled to South Africa, will depend upon his reaction to the news. "If he accepts the results, he can come back. Otherwise ..."

Article translated by Allie Stauss, Staff Intern for the Africa Program at the Wilson Center.

Photo Credit: Lemurbaby via Wikipedia.com.