UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
17 February 2009
The power tussle between Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana and the charismatic Andry Rajoelina, former mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, has already claimed more than 100 lives since 26 January - what is behind the violence, and what happens next?
[ See Article ]
Daily Trust (Abuja)
15 February 2009
Civil Society Groups have condemned the reckless killing of over 100 persons in Madagascar and the destruction of several media institutions in the country.
[ See Article ]
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
11 February 2009
As emotions continue to run high in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, many people are asking who is to blame for the political turmoil in which over 100 people have died in anti-government protests organised by opposition leader and former mayor of the capital, Andry Rajoelina.
[ See Article ]
Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
11 February 2009
The bloodletting that has claimed more than 130 lives in Madagascar since it erupted more than two weeks ago is a source of serious concern. That is 130 lives too many. Such callous waste of human life could have been avoided.
[ See Article ]
1- First of all, the 1991 conflict was between Amiral Didier RATSIRAKA and Pr. Albert ZAFY, not of Mr. Marc RAVALOMANANA as the article says. Precisely, it is unacceptable that in most African countries, power is often taken through the street, but Mr. Ravalomanana Marc was democratically elected. In the Northern countries, people can express their anger and frustration toward the government or certain policies but that has never led to a coup d’Etat or to destitute the President from his seat before he can finish his term. Beside the death of certain people, the saddest thing in this whole situation is this gruesome willingness to slow down, or even to destroy the economy of Madagascar just when it starts to grow. In fact, the efforts of the actual government to boost the economy of this country has already had some concrete results because, the economic growth of this country between 2003 and 2006 is 6%. The governmental efforts to improve the social life of the population has also had tremendous impacts as infants death rates have been reduced significantly. It is, however, true that there still are challenges and difficulties to overcome so that the most vulnerable population will enjoy the impact of the economic growth. This requires everybody to work together to support the best practices and strategic reorientations where in this context of globalization, the responsibilities of the government, of the citizens, and of the unions are linked. 2- About the term limit for the President, we, in Madagascar, have already learned our lesson from the reign in power of Amiral Didier RATSIRAKA which was too long (almost a quarter of century where only the few people that surrounds him enjoyed the benefits). Our Constitution now mandates that a candidate, who is elected President, can only be elected for two other terms.