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R 131211Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
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RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANTANANARIVO 000713 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV AND INR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PINR MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: NEW TECHNOCRAT PRIME MINISTER AWAITS 
CONFIRMATION 
 
REF: ANTANANARIVO 707 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  See Action Request in para 7.  The ambassador 
greeted Madagascar's new consensus Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza 
upon his arrival in country October 10 to publicly display the 
international community's support for the implementation of an 
inclusive, consensual transition government.  In a private meeting 
October 12, Mangalaza, who was named PM by decree late Oct 10, said 
he would wait patiently for confirmation of his role by the four 
vying political faction leaders before acting.  Former PM Monja 
Roindefo has refused to vacate his seat for the time being.  The 
four leaders are tentatively scheduled to meet October 17-19 in 
Geneva, but Ravalomanana may still throw a wrench in the works.  The 
situation on the ground in Madagascar remains calm, but unsettled 
due to the obstinacy of Monja Roindefo and Ravalomanana.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
International Community Backs Consensus PM 
------------------------------------------ 
¶2. (SBU) The consensus prime minister, Eugene Regis Mangalaza, 
agreed upon by Madagascar's four vying political factions during the 
October 6 International Contact Group meeting (reftel), arrived in 
Madagascar early on October 10.  The Ambassador, together with UN 
Mediator Tiebile Drame and his South African and French 
counterparts, greeted him at the airport to publicly demonstrate the 
international community's support for the formation of a 
power-sharing transition government per the Maputo transition 
accords.  The HAT minister of security, along with one military 
officer closely associated with the March coup, also met the 
PM-designate; somewhat surprisingly he publicly announced his strong 
support for the Maputo accords.  The media captured the 
international presence, as intended.  Mangalaza made a short, humble 
statement about the constructive role he hopes to play in the 
transition, and left. 
 
TGV Replaces Monja with Mangalaza 
--------------------------------- 
¶3. (SBU) After assembly his cabinet for an impromptu meeting, 
Transition president Andry "TGV" Rajoelina issued a decree late on 
October 10 officially naming Mangalaza as the new prime minister and 
abrogating the decree that had named Monja Roindefo to that role. 
But Roindefo has refused to cede his place, stating in a speech that 
he would remain prime minister until a new transition government, 
whose members are to be validated and named by a meeting of the four 
faction leaders October 17-19, was in place.  Although Roindefo 
indicated that he would eventually give up his seat, he is likely 
holding on for as long as possible - probably in the hopes that 
ousted President Ravalomanana will block agreement at the Oct 17 
meeting -- to continue his notorious self-enrichment. 
 
Mangalaza Awaits Confirmation of Four Chiefs 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador called on Mangalaza officially, the first 
diplomat to do so, on October 12 at the Presidential Suite in the 
Hotel Colbert (due to his office still being occupied by Roindefo). 
Mangalaza was calm and gracious, showing no signs of stress or 
pressure.  He said he is "in the starting blocks, but the race has 
not started"; he will wait for the signature of the accord by the 
four chiefs before he officially becomes PM, and he will play no 
role in seeking to remove Roindefo.  He is, however, eager for that 
to occur as soon as possible.  He said great patience will be 
required for him to succeed, and he is showing some now.  He 
described himself as "technical, not political" and confirmed that 
he has no political ambitions whatsoever, stating further that the 
transition must be "short but good."  He agreed with the ambassador 
that the sole real tack of the transition government will be to 
organize credible elections.  While he knows former President 
Ratsiraka well and was proposed by him, Mangalaza made it clear that 
he is no AREMA (Ratsiraka's party) apparatchik, nor a "militant" of 
Ratsiraka, but rather a neutral technocrat.  He described his CV to 
the Ambassador (a detailed biography is attached below), upon whom 
Mangalaza made an overall fine impression. 
 
AGOA IS USEFUL LEVERAGE 
----------------------- 
¶5. (SBU) Mangalaza told the Ambassador that he met Rajoelina for the 
first time October 10 and again on October 12.  He told Rajoelina 
that "you are my chief but not my boss (patron).  I have six bosses: 
 the Malagasy people, the four movements (including yours), and the 
international community."  According to Mangalaza, Rajoelina said he 
understood and accepted the arrangement.  The latter two also 
discussed the importance of AGOA.  The ambassador briefed Mangalaza 
on the AGOA eligibility review process and timetable and exhorted 
them not to lose more time in setting up the transition.  Mangalaza 
remarked that AGOA continues to provide useful pressure that he will 
use to best effect. 
 
 
ANTANANARI 00000713  002 OF 003 
 
 
Mangalaza Still Catching Up 
-------------------------- 
¶6. (SBU) The Ambassador then briefed Mangalaza, who has been in 
exile since 2002 due to his connections with Ratsiraka, on a few key 
players close to Rajoelina who might be helpful.  Mangalaza said he 
lived ten years in Tulear and is an anthropologist, and hinted that 
both will be useful in dealing with the current PM (who is from 
Tulear and the Antandroy tribe).  However, he added, it would be 
premature to have any contact with him for now.  He also eschewed 
any contact directly with Ravalomanana as premature. 
 
Comment and Action Request 
-------------------------- 
¶7. (SBU) The situation on the ground in Madagascar remains calm, but 
unsettled due to Monja Roindefo's and Ravalomanana's obstinacy.  As 
of Monday, Berlin was gaining ground as the site for the next 
Summit, but then the German government refused the proposal.  There 
is now agreement on Geneva as the location for the October 17-19 
talks, with the meeting to take place on UN premises, the Swiss 
government having agreed to pay all lodging expenses, and the French 
and/or EU ponying up Euros 50K for transport expenses.  UN Mediator 
Drame has requested a like contribution from the USG; please advise. 
 While Ravalomanana may still be insisting on Luanda or another 
African location instead of Europe, the Chissano is keen on holding 
the meeting this weekend, which will not be possible if it is to be 
held in Africa.  The Ambassador will join Ambassador Phil Carter in 
Johannesburg for a meeting with Ravalomanana on Thursday to 
encourage him to endorse the agreements reached during the ICG 
October 6 and name people to the government positions which he has 
been allocated.  End comment. 
 
 
¶8.  (U)  BIOGRAPHY OF EUGENE REGIS MANGALAZA 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
Occupation:  Academic, Professor, University Rector, now Consensual 
Transitional Prime Minister, nominated by former President 
Ratsiraka, approved by the four political factions, and appointed by 
Rajoelina 
 
Appointment Date:  October 10, 2009 
 
DOB:  1950 in Ambodivoanio, Toamasina (East coast; he says he hails 
from Mananara Nord) 
 
Family:  Wife, Married with three children 
 
Education: 
- 1988: Doctorate in Social Anthropology from the University of 
Bordeaux II 
- 1977: Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Bordeaux III 
- 1970: Baccalaureat from Jacques RABEMANANJARA High School in 
Toamasina 
 
Prior Government Posts: 
- 1992-2002: Rector of Toamasina University 
- 1987-1991: Director of Human Resources Division, Autonomous Port 
of Toamasina 
- 1980-1986: Dean of the University of Toliara, Languages 
Department 
-  1990s - elected Deputy in National Assembly 
 
Teaching activities and research: 
 - In Madagascar: 
- Since 1994, he assisted Ph.D. students studying philosophy and 
social anthropology at the Universities of Toliara and Toamasina; 
- Between 1980 and 2003, he published around ten works on the 
Betsimisaraka tribe of Madagascar. 
- Abroad: 
2003-2004: Guest Professor at the University of Perpignan, Sociology 
Division within the Languages Department 
1996-2002: Guest Professor at the University of Bordeaux III for two 
to three months; 
1994-1998: Guest Professor at the University of Saint Denis, 
Reunion, for two to three months 
 
Political Background:  He was a member of the Ratsiraka delegation 
to Dakar II during 2002 crisis resolution discussions. 
 
Exposure to the US:  He participated in an International Visitor 
program sponsored by the Embassy on "University Administration" when 
he was the President of the University of Toamasina.  He promoted 
linkages between the University of Toamasina and Clark Atlanta 
University, which have resulted in various partnerships including 
the opening of a language lab in Toamasina and teacher exchanges. 
He says his English is poor but he appears able to communicate in 
it. 
 
ANTANANARI 00000713  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
MARQUARDT