Madagascar

Is the crisis in Madagascar really over?

Sophie Team Observers — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:47:04 +0200

The arrest on Wednesday of the 'legal' prime minister. Posted on Sobika.

Since Andry Rajoelina took power last month, Madagascar is no longer front page news. The conflict, however, is not over and supporters of exiled president Marc Ravalomanana continue to demonstrate. One of our Observers there tells us how the government is trying to put a stop to the movement.

Ousted president Marc Ravalomanana named, from his exile in Swaziland, a ‘legal' prime minister, Manandafy Rakotonirina. The latter set up his headquarters in one of the capital's best hotels and got ready to appoint the government. He was arrested on Wednesday night, along with others from the Ravalomanana movement.

The measure was taken in the hope of discouraging the protest movement, which continues to foster the 'legalists' and battle against the forces of order.

Video posted on Topmada.

Razily, a new hero in the ousted president's camp

Sophie Team Observers — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:56:49 +0200

Supporters of Madagascar's ousted president, Marc Ravalomanana, defied the new authorities on Saturday, March 28, causing violent clashes in the capital, Antananarivo. One man marched towards the troops defiantly holding a Madagascar flag in the air. The man, known as "Razily," was arrested, and the video has made him a hero among supporters of Ravalomanana.

Around 20,000 demonstrators protested against new head of state Andry Rajoelina; among them, 34 were reportedly injured. Police prevented the crowds from reaching the May 13 plaza by letting off tear gas. This footage of Razily marching towards the police was filmed from a restaurant in the capital. Posted on citizen media website Sobika.com, it has already had 20,000 views.

Why Ravalomanana is out

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:43:01 +0100

Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana has just stepped down and handed power over to the army. Why, after being re-elected for a second term two years ago, does this Malagasy politician find himself walking out the back door? Rewind to the start of the crisis...

Colette Braeckman, a specialist on African politics, published this interview with Malagasy writer Jean-Luc Raharimanana, author of l'Arbre anthropophage (The Man-eating Tree), on her blog.

Are Malagasies turning against the French?

Sophie Team Observers — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:57:30 +0100

When Madagascar's main opponent to the president was taken in by the French embassy on Tuesday, supporters of the head of state took to the streets, incited by a revival of anti-French sentiment.

The ousted mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, has been in open conflict with President Marc Ravalomanana since the beginning of February. Fearing arrest, Rajoelina had already been in hiding for some days when he was offered protection by the French embassy on Tuesday. The decision was encouraged by the international community and the UN, and also agreed to by the Malagasy president. In the afternoon, Rajoelina moved on to a secret location.

The temporary refuge offered to the government's chief enemy only animated anti-French feelings among people loyal to the president. Ravalomanana himself has kept a strained relationship with the island's former coloniser since coming into power. A French expat living in the capital gives us his account of events.

French news channel iTélé makes mighty booboo

Sophie Team Observers — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:50:44 +0100

One of our Observers in Madagascar, editor of the Malagasy info site Sobika.com , has alerted us to a blunder made by the French news channel iTélé. In the middle of a report on the protests in the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe come several minutes of footage showing ... the protests in Madagascar.

Supposed footage of Guadeloupe. In the red circle you can see a tobacconist called "Tana Tabac" - Tana is short for the Malagasy capital Antananarivo.

This story merely made us laugh. We recognise that it was a mistake and resulted in no dire consequences - so there's no need to slate iTélé.

The video was posted by iTélé (here). The video's accompanied with this info: "The situation in Guadeloupe is getting worse. For 27 days now the island has been at a standstill, paralysed by roadblocks and riddled by violence..." (Tuesday 17 Feb.09 - 1pm).

Looting in Madagascar, our Observer tells the story

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:03:24 +0100

The riots tearing through the Madagascan capital have already left two people dead. One of our Observers in Antananarivo, camera in hand, went to see the scene for himself last night.

Radio station burns as riots turn deadly

Sophie Team Observers — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:49:09 +0100

Since violent riots broke out in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, over the weekend, protesters have burned the state-owned radio station and at least one demonstrator has been killed. While there are few images emerging from the Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Africa, ordinary citizens there have sent us their photos.

Several thousand supporters of the Antananarivo mayor, Andry Rajoelina, who proclaimed himself the main opponent to Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana, have stormed the capital after the mayor called a meeting outside the country's main court building. The rioters then went on a rampage, breaking into the national radio headquarters and throwing computers, furniture and filing cabinets out of the windows before setting the building on fire.

Are you in Madagascar? Send us your photos.

Madagascar devastated by a cyclone, again

Julien — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:32:00 +0100

Just like last year, the year before last, and the year before that, a cyclone has swept over Madagascar. And just like every other year, thousands of Madagascans find themselves on the street, hoping that international aid is on its way.