More and more frequent, the intimidation against the opposition in particular the TIM intensifies as one approaches the electoral deadlines. Last Saturday, the security forces exploded tear gas canisters to disperse TIM supporters who met for a greeting presentation with former President Marc Ravalomanana in Beravina Andranonahoatra (Commune of Atsimondrano).
The framework in which the political meeting of the TIM was however a private, closed place. TIM supporters say they had permission to do so, law enforcement said otherwise. The security forces who arrived a little earlier on the scene tried to frame the place but Ravalomanana’s supporters managed to get in. Talks have taken place between the two parties, the tone has also continued to rise. The security forces seized a TIM MP present on the scene, the crowd responded by seizing a gendarme.
This scene happened when the former President of the Republic arrived on the scene. Despite the presence of the police, he was able to enter. Security forces later returned to the charge and attempted to close the gate, preventing TIM activists who were still outside from entering.
During his speech, the former president declared that we must no longer allow ourselves to be bullied from all sides. His speech ended, the former head of state took the police by surprise. He got out of his vehicle and walked with the crowd on foot to another location where another rally was scheduled. In the streets, Marc Ravalomanana was accompanied by hundreds of activists who adored him as a true hero. A show of force as if to challenge Andry Rajoelina who last week also gathered a large crowd at the EPP Andoharanofotsy, in the Commune of Atsimondrano.
A month after his letter addressed to Prime Minister Christian Ntsay in which he denounced what he described as intimidation maneuvers targeting his party and the opposition, Marc Ravalomanana sent a letter to the representative of the OIF. He expressed his concerns about the effective holding of presidential elections this year.
- Letter to the representative of the OIF