I discovered Madagascar and especially the so lovable Malagasy people four years ago. The same year I adopted a child there or rather said a child made me immensely happy adopting me and I have felt even closer and more concerned with the future of Madagascar since.

It is as an adoptive parent first and then as a citizen of the world that I humbly take the liberty to express my vision concerning the current distressing events in Madagascar which weaken the political life, the institutions and even more, our consciousness. My approach is not meant to be polemic as for the possible ballot-riggings denounced by the different protagonists during the first round of the presidential election.

However, when a candidate gets a comfortable advance at the first round of the presidential election and would in all probability be elected President at the second round, it is legitimate to wonder about the reasons that urge him to refuse to participate, with all the risks that such a decision means, to the second round. From then on, the objections he raised as for the validity of the results provided by the High Constitutional Court stand for a credible reason.

But in such a situation of crisis, when the stake is far beyond the personal interests and becomes the interest of a whole country, the national interest only must be taken into account. And this is what hundreds of thousands of demonstrators clearly expressed, their urgent need for a deep change. Rightly or wrongly, Mr Ravalomanana represents the hope of this change for the great majority. It is a hope for a future which does not make sense any more with poverty and resignation.

In spite of the big tribute they have paid for decades the Malagasy people still believe in future. And it is for this reason first of all that they fervently wish for the election of a President who embodies this hope. I am convinced that the denial of such a hope would be perceived as the worst injustice ever running the risk of never being forgiven by the people.

Moreover I have the intuition that nothing will stop the Malagasy people today in its peaceful but determined walk towards change because their problem is an existential one first of all. The Malagasy people do not want to believe any more in the fatality of a fate in which they would obstinately be denied their simplest dignity. They refuse this fatality and they are right. I also believe that no army in the world can stem this tremendous hope which animates the heart of the Malagasy people and to attempt to do so would be an odious crime and an unforgivable political and historical mistake.

We must not respond to hope by repression but by an act of love and sacrifice. And the Malagasy people expect the outgoing president Mr Ratsiraka, to make a sacrifice, namely the sacrifice of his personal ambition in order not to hinder the hope of an entire nation. They expect a gesture of love from their president, and if he does it, the Malagasy people will forgive him for all his mistakes and will only remember his benefits and particularly his sense of honor and sacrifice.

The Madagascan people has recently given a lesson to the whole world showing that they can gather and demonstrate in peace and dignity without committing any extortion.
I encourage you all to continue in this way because the determination you show does not need to resort to violence. Similarly no form of violence can defeat a profound faith and determination.

Your fight is right and you will certainly win it thanks to your faith and determination. I remain with all my heart with you in your fight for dignity and liberty.

Amedee