Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-04-05 02:50:00
According to information circulating yesterday, Madagascar has requested the recall of the European Union ambassador. This request follows controversial statements made by the diplomat on February 26 regarding the inclusion of castration of child rapists in the penal code.
Confirmations with half words and silences. These are the reactions of sources contacted regarding the information that stirred up the newsrooms of various media outlets yesterday. It is news that the Malagasy government has requested the “replacement” of Isabelle Delattre Burger, ambassador of the European Union (EU). More specifically, it is a “request for the recall of the ambassador.”
The subject was reported by the Africa Intelligence news website. It was then picked up by several foreign media outlets. Contacted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU delegation embassy in Ankorondrano did not deny the information. However, both entities stated that they did not want to make any comments or remarks on the matter. Behind the scenes, however, albeit laconically, sources confirm the information. The letter was sent to Brussels in early March.
A leak reveals that “the letter is confidential. It should not have been made public.” In the snippets of exchanges with different sources, the brief responses converge on one point. The letter consists of “a request for recall” of diplomat Delattre Burger. Le Monde Afrique highlights a response from a “spokesperson of the European Commission.”
The source cited by Le Monde Afrique allegedly confirmed that “the High Representative of the Union [Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy] received a letter expressing Madagascar’s discontent with the press conference [held by Ambassador Delattre Burger] and requesting the EU to proceed with her replacement.” Since her arrival in September 2022, the European diplomat has often been frank in her public interventions.
In a tense pre-election context, her “misinterpreted” remarks on one of the hot topics of the time were the first source of public friction between the diplomat and the authorities. During a press conference on May 8, 2023, she hinted that the EU would not oppose “a pre-electoral Transition, in case of agreement among all stakeholders.” This was in the name of appeasement without questioning the electoral deadlines set by the Constitution.
A breaking point
The EU delegation had to issue a statement to “clarify” the ambassador’s remarks in order to ease the situation. However, another statement by the diplomat during another press conference on February 26 marked the breaking point with the Rajoelina administration. She described the inclusion of surgical castration of child rapists in the penal code as “contrary” to the Constitution and the UN Convention against Torture.
The ambassador’s remarks sparked the anger of various state officials, especially since on February 23, the Constitutional High Court (HCC) had already deemed the provisions legalizing surgical castration “in line with the Constitution.” This was after they were adopted by Parliament. The initiative, championed by President Andry Rajoelina, was fiercely defended by Justice Minister Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa.
During a meeting with Parliament, Minister Randriamanantenasoa cited “national sovereignty” to justify the amendment of the penal code to include the castration of child rapists. The ambassador’s remarks on February 26 led to her being summoned by Foreign Minister Rafaravavitafika Rasata three days later.
This recall request follows, at first glance, this summoning. It is also a way to please both sides. Namely, to officially state that the authorities no longer wish to work with the diplomat on one hand, and to maintain good relations with the EU on the other. In diplomatic practice, the departure of a diplomat subject to a recall request is inevitable. “The process is underway, and no further information can be provided at this time,” added the source cited by Le Monde Afrique.
Isabelle Delattre Burger’s departure could take place during the rotation period of EU diplomatic mission chiefs in September. Reporting on exchanges with a source from the delegation in the Africa section of its website, Radio France Internationale (RFI) states, “Our aim is to maintain good relations with Madagascar, and that’s why we are complying with the request. But her departure under these conditions will inevitably have political and financial consequences.” Brussels’ stance following this recall request of its ambassador may shed light on the process of designating her replacement. A replacement soon after her departure or a few weeks later would indicate that relations between Madagascar and the EU are smooth. Conversely, a long period of interim by a chargé d’affaires would signify unease.
Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg
