2023-04-19 02:50:50
Regain control of the security situation, while ensuring the tranquility of the population before, during and following the presidential election. These are the challenges that the Defense and Security Forces set themselves through nationwide operations.
Anticipation. This is the watchword within the Defense and Security Forces (FDS). This, in view of the presidential election. The goal is to ensure a certain peace of mind before, during and following the electoral process. A meeting to this effect was held at the Ministry of National Defense on 11 April. A meeting led by the host of the day, General Josoa Rakotoarijaona, Minister of National Defence, with at his side, Comptroller General of Police Fanomezantsoa Randrianarisoa, Minister of Public Security, and General Serge Gellé,
Secretary of State for the National Gendarmerie. Clearly, taking control of the security situation and the management of security as well as public order in the electoral context is the subject of this meeting. It is with this dual objective in mind that operations to restore order, especially in sensitive areas, have been launched for a few days, like Operation Tselatra. As stated by General Lala Monja Delphin Sahivelo, Chief of the Defense Staff (CEMA), Operation Tselatra “is deployed throughout the territory, rural and urban areas, with particular emphasis on areas red”. Both in large cities and rural areas, military and police actions result in deployment on the ground. In Antananarivo, for example, patrols are intensifying. The information reporting the arrest of presumed thugs or bandits, even of presumed criminals shot dead is linked. Opposite, however, reports of theft, assault and armed robbery are still relevant.
Last week, the three members of the government in charge of defense and security, accompanied by the military and police high command, carried out a field visit to Antananarivo. An outing to affirm the intransigence and zero tolerance of the FDS in the face of insecurity and to show the command’s unwavering support for the elements deployed on the ground.
Regarding the Tselatra operation, particular emphasis is placed on Antananarivo and Toamasina, where there is a hint of urban insecurity. Rural localities in the Alaotra-Mangoro and Anosy regions are also on the list of priorities, as is Atsimo Andrefana. With the concerns in the vanilla trade, the Sava, Diana and Analanjirofo regions are also particularly monitored in terms of security and public order.
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During his trip to Ambositra on Saturday, Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic, gave instructions verbally and publicly to quickly regain control of the security situation in the district of Manandriana. As mentioned previously, preserving public order before, during and following the presidential election is the other reason for the commotion triggered in recent days within the FDS. In the electoral context, where the political temperature is warming up, acts of banditry and insecurity are often seen as catalysts for destabilization. The media outings and visits to the field, always together, by the three general officers, in the electoral context, are also a way of asserting that the actions of the FDS are fully supported by the ministers responsible for political approaches in the area of defense and urban and rural security.
As in 2018, the FDS obviously want to play the role of safeguard, in the face of possible abuses in these electoral times. Especially since with regard to the words and verbs thrown around by certain actors, the political temperature is rising day by day. Indeed, on the ground, the elements of the forces of order are at the front. A relatively complicated situation when it comes to preserving public order in meetings or political demonstrations. The challenge is to enforce the law, preserve public order, without being overzealous. A situation that is not at all obvious in this pre-campaign period when the legal provisions on public demonstrations are confused. It will be clearer, however, when the official campaign period comes. The vigilance of the FDS is also essential in the face of the speeches of a fringe of the political class which hammers home the risks of post-election unrest, even “violence”.
There are potential candidates and their supporters who are already showing themselves as winners before their time. And seem to prepare public opinion for a probable challenge to the results if they are not in their favour. The electoral texts provide for legal remedies to this effect. However, the possibility of a dispute outside the legal framework must always be taken into account. It will be up to the FDS to be the last ramparts to prevent the country from igniting. Like all public entities, the FDS, too, are walking on eggshells during this election period. They will have to strive to stay within the strict framework of the law so as not to be accused of bias. Impartiality through the strict application of the law will facilitate, where necessary, its role as a safeguard.
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