Hopes surge as Rajoelina makes a comeback in Madagascar
Following the conclusion of hotlycontested elections and having his victory ratified by the High Constitutional Court, Andry Rajoelina takes the helm of Madagascar and starts the arduous task of implementing his campaign pledges of building an inclusive economy while conserving the environment.
Around 76 percent of Malagasys live in extreme poverty, earning $1.9 or less per day despite recording annual growth of more than 4 percent since 2016, according to the World Bank’s 2017 figures.
The 44 year-old won the run-off with more than 55 percent of the vote. His term starts on a high note with his bitter rival, former president Marc Ravalomanana, conceding.
“Undoubtedly, it is a milestone for the country to conclude this important democratic process peacefully and orderly. The court’s ruling has averted possible political crisis and has given Rajoelina legitimacy,” said Robert Otieno, an analyst from Kenya.
He said the next step is in unleashing the country’s potential by bringing economic development that would trickle down to the poor. Rajoelina is inheriting an economy that has grown modestly and is projected to reach 6 percent in 2019 driven by the service sector, according to the African Development Bank.
But the real crunch is in the agricultural sector where 80 percent of the population is engaged in. “The sector has experienced low productivity, weak linkages to markets and high vulnerability to climatic fluctuations. These are areas the new administration needs to invest in,” said Otieno.
The country is the largest supplier of vanilla globally. The majority of Malagasys have yet to profit from the current vanilla price boom that saw the crop fetch $515 per kilogram in the global market rivaling silver at $527 per kg.
The analyst noted that the former businessman ran his campaign platform on improving security and agriculture, appealing to the majority of the electorate. Farmers are grappling with a poor harvest following Cyclone Enawo in March 2017 that destroyed large swathes of vanilla orchids. This was followed by a major drought.
“He has the advantages of youth and understanding the country as a president. He can transform the country by investing more in energy and transport infrastructure that are key to agricultural transformation.”