Colonel Randrianirina warns against political and ethnic divisions. The Iavoloha resident advocates for national unity in the service of development.
Malagasy people are one. This phrase was emphasized by Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, the Head of State, during his speeches yesterday. While visiting the Atsimo Atsinanana region, he placed ‘Fihavanana’ (social harmony) and national unity at the center of his political message.
The Iavoloha resident calls on the population to prioritize reconciliation, cohesion, and national unity, and to transcend political divides, ethnic issues, or differences in origin. The context of the first event during his regional tour provided an ideal platform to preach a sacred union for development. It was a ceremony to consolidate brotherhood among eight ethnic groups in Evato, a commune located in the Farafangana district.
“I came to Evato to show my commitment to Fihavanana. To demonstrate how important Fihavanana is,” the Head of State declared. He recalled that he set an example a week ago by reconciling with two political figures from the Ambovombe district, notably with Deputy Philobert Milavonjy, the leader of the parliamentary opposition. For the senior officer, national cohesion is a prerequisite for developing the country.
“We will not succeed in developing Madagascar if we let ourselves be divided. We will not achieve it without solidarity,” Colonel Randrianirina maintained. He particularly pointed to the responsibility of political actors in societal divisions. “We, the politicians, are the ones who divide the population to win votes. Let us no longer be divided,” he told the audience, adding, “Let us move forward together to develop the country.”
The senior officer also addressed the issue of ethnic or geographical origins. “Discourses claiming that someone is from this ethnic group and another from that one, or that one comes from the Highlands and another from the coast, no longer have a place. It is unhealthy. Madagascar is one island. The Malagasy people form a single nation, so let us stop highlighting differences and instead affirm our cohesion,” he proclaimed.
The Head of State warned against attempts to manipulate differences between communities. Beyond the scope of the presidential tour in the Atsimo Atsinanana region, this warning comes as identity-related topics are becoming persistent in public debates. References to ethnic origins, regional affiliations, or the distinction between Highland and coastal populations are being raised without hesitation in certain political discussions.
These arguments appear notably in the debate over the form of the State, between defenders of a federal model and proponents of maintaining a unitary State. Some, including political figures, do not hesitate to use rhetoric that exacerbates divisions, at the risk of weakening national cohesion—a national unity that is tested in the aftermath of every political crisis the country faces.
During the closing ceremony of the youth consultation at the Ivato International Conference Center (CCI) in late July, Colonel Randrianirina had already sought to end controversies surrounding the federal versus unitary state. He indicated then that it is up to the population to decide on this issue through a vote. At first glance, his speech in Atsimo Atsinanana follows this line. By preaching national unity, he also aims to remind everyone that differences in opinion or political vision must not take precedence over the general interest.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-22 06:08:33 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/atsimo-atsinanana-le-chef-de-letat.html