The European Union is reportedly tightening the noose around Madagascar following the latter’s decision not to condemn the Russian invasion in Ukraine – reflected by its abstention at the recent UN vote.
Florent Rakotarisoa, president of the High Constitutional Court (HCC) of the country has been cited by Malagasy media as confirming the pressure.
“The international community and the big countries of Europe are putting pressure on small countries to support them in speaking out in this Russian and Ukrainian affair,” he was cited as telling a local private radio station.
According to the local ‘Madagascar Tribune’ newspaper, pressure is growing, particularly from the European Union.
It cited EU interim charge d’affaires as expressing ‘disappointment’ over the Malagasy position, forcing the Malagasy authorities to rectify their statement and issue a new press release.
“The press release, first published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was relayed and translated in several languages by the Office of the President during the day before being released early evening,” Madagascar Tribune reported.
“Madagascar expresses its extreme concern for the civilian populations and shows its solidarity towards the victims and their relatives, those who are being displaced,” it read.
The announcement also reiterated the decision of the Malagasy State of remaining part of the non-aligned movement.
“Madagascar advocates, in all circumstances, peaceful ways and means to any dispute and this, in attachment to our tradition of non-alignment and in respect of our ancestral value of “Fihavanana”, so that the Indian Ocean area remains an area of peace and stability.”
This shy demonstration of solidarity towards the victims of the war in Ukraine seems to be motivated by the fear of a deterioration in relations and cooperation with the international community.
“Economic and trade sanctions may be applied to Madagascar, after taking a neutral position in the face of the Russo-Ukrainian crisis,” the newspaper cited the Malagasy expert in international relations, Julien Radanoara as saying.
He feared that the European Union could take the decision to delay or drip the financial aid it had planned for the poverty-stricken Madagascar.
The newspaper cited the interim charge d’affaires of the European Union delegation in the country as responding that it is “too early to talk about the impact of Malagasy position.”
Mauritius is also part of the Non-Aligned movement. It voted against Russia.
