11. Nov 2017

What would Mr. Zafy say?

Verfasst von Peter Friedrich Alfons Kneitz

The important task of creating confidence

How to create a public institution which does not only work effectively but gains confidence of the population? Such seems to be the background of a recently addressed critic by Mr. Serge Zafimahova on the reformed CFM (Council of Fampihavanana Malagasy, see article below). In fact, such question is of greatest importance for the CFM which is not a simple administration but has got the rank of a constitutional organ of the Republic of Madagascar. The difficult task of enhance consensus, peace and solidarity might evidently only be achieved if the population put confidence into it.

The recently deceased Mr. Albert Zafy, ancient president of Madagascar (1993-1996), is particularly praised as “Father of Democracy” and as a “Pioneer of the Fihavanana Malagasy”. In fact, he contributed during his political live in many consistent ways to the promotion of unity, solidarity and towards a consensual conflict management. Based on such acquired reputation his ideas on the CFM have a special weight.

The question of the selection process

One of his close former advisors, Mr. Serge Zafimahova, now spokesman for the Zafy family, said in a recent press conference that important ideas of the ancient president were not respected. According to the article published, Albert Zafy would have strongly recommended that the member of the CFM should be selected by the population through election. He is even said by Mr. Zafimahova to have refused to receive again those of his collaborators who applied for the CFM. Mr. Alphonse Maka, present president of CFM, contested such critic, though, in a telephone interview. He confirmed that the most reasonable ideas of Mr. Zafy were seized.

Undoubtedly the question of the selection process of the CFM-member is an important one. Would a universal election process, while certainly a difficult task, not allow the CFM to gain a special status, closer to the population, allowing to gain important moral weight? A question to be preserved for the future.

L’Express de Madagascar, 10.11.2017

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 702497 – DySoMa.