Current Political Crisis Information
The following is a summary of the build up to the current political crisis unfolding in Madagascar. We have placed this copy of the text (taken from the recent Anglo- Malagasy Society's Newsletter) here to help keep you informed of the current political unrest in Madagascar. However we are unable to keep updating this page so please refer to the news links at the bottom of the page to follow more closely the current situation as it unfolds which seems to change almost by the hour at the moment.
Political events in Madagascar
Madagascar is in the throes of a severe political crisis which has been marked by bouts of violence and an increasing number of deaths. At its heart is a contest between President Marc Ravalomanana with his TIM party and Andry Rajoelina, the founder of Tanora malaGasy Vonona (TGV) who was elected as mayor of Antananarivo in December 2007. The events have been most serious in the capital but the unrest is country-wide. There is at the time of writing no clear sign of an end to the crisis in spite of attempts at some form of compromise and the mediation of outside bodies.
The background to the crisis is economic and political. The continued poverty of the majority of Malagasy despite the influx of money into the mining industry has combined with an increasing sense of the more autocratic nature of the President’s regime. There had been a succession of disputes between the government and the Commune Urbaine d’Antananarivo (CUA) in areas such as finance and the CUA’s role in hosting the summit of the African Union this year, as well as complaints by Rajoelina about pressure on his commercial interests. Moreover, the government’s proposal to reform the law on political parties spurred a revival of various opposition groups.
Several issues were factors in matters coming to a head. The announcement in November of plans to lease extensive tracts of land to Daewoo Logistics of Korea provoked extensive criticism, as did the proposed purchase at a cost of $60m of a new plane for the use of the President, who made a high number of overseas trips in 2008. In particular the decision by the government on 17th December to close the TV station Viva immediately after it broadcast an interview with former president Didier Ratsiraka led Rajoelina, its owner, to issue a week later a deadline of 13th January for its re-opening. Many members of the opposition rallied round him in his dispute with the President.
A brief chronology of events in January and February is:
January
9th Rajoelina snubs the President’s New Year ceremony and holds his own, where he insists on his mandate for four years
10th The French consulate advises citizens to avoid the centre of Tana where the prefect of police bans open-air meetings, linking it to a recent prison escape
11th Ravalomanana makes a tour of the provinces and receives a visit from the heads of the FFKM
12th An extraordinary meeting of Parliament convenes to debate proposed changes to the law on political parties, including a bar from leading a party on anyone with a conviction
13th Parliament votes by 118-2 to approve the new party law and consequent change in the constitution; Ravalomamana is firm in not ceding to the ultimatum on the day it expires
14th Ravalomanana criticises Rajoelina at a meeting with TIM supporters; the opposition adopt a lower profile and few are present at Rajoelina’s conference.
15th Rajoelina announces plans to inaugurate a Place de la Démocratie at Ambohijatovo on the 17th
16th Roland Ratsiraka, former mayor of Toamasina, raises various grievances at a press conference. The Apostolic Nuncio raises concerns about freedom of expression and civil liberties
17th A sizeable crowd gathers to hear Rajoelina speak; he calls for Viva-TV to be re-opened and for two ministers to resign by the 21st
18th Rajoelina moves to re-open his TV station but its licence is revoked
21st The ultimatum on the sacking of ministers passes; Ravalomanana visits parts of the capital
22nd Rajoelina announces plans to end a rental contract the capital has with MBS, a broadcaster belonging to the President
23rd In Mahajanga Roland Ratsiraka calls for the overthrow of the President
Sat 24th Two people are shot dead in protest marches in Tana, and some 20 others are injured; Rajoelina calls for a general strike on the 26th and for the government to resign, saying he is ready to lead a transitional government
Sun 25th On his early return from a meeting of the SADC in South Africa Ravalomanana says he will tolerate no violation of the Constitution
Mon 26th Many thousands join protest marches in Tana; the offices of the state broadcaster are looted, as are shops and buildings owned by Ravalomanana’s TIKO group
Tues 27th Firefighters find at least 25 bodies in one of the looted buildings; estimates of the total number of deaths range from 30 up to 100. Rajoelina calls for a ‘dead city’ for the next two days. At least 10 people die in the regions of Sofia and Sava
Weds 28th Curfews are put in place in the capital and other cities including Antsirabe and Toamasina. The international community calls for dialogue
Thurs 29th The head of the Gendarmerie nationale, Gen. Lucien Raharijaona, is sacked and replaced by General Pily Gilbain. Rajoelina calls for a form of co-habitation in a transitional government (aged less than 40 he is not allowed under the Constitution to become President)
Fri 30th Ravalomanana visits Toamasina, Toliary and Mahajanga; Rajoelina meets ambassadors and the FFKM.
Sat 31st Rajoelina calls for the dismissal of the President for treason and violation of the Constitution, and claims executive power. The President calls for calm and claims Rajoelina has over-stepped his mark. The African Union condemns any illegal change of regime
February
Mon 2nd Rajoelina lays a demand for the President’s resignation at the Haute Cour Constitutionelle (HCC)
Tues 3rd The HCC rejects Rajoelina’s request. The government appoints Guy Randrianarison as the Président de délégation spécial (PDS) for Antananarivo. Ravalomanana visits Taolonaro and Antsiranana. Rajoelina calls for a sit-in and for his supporters to take power in the ‘fokontany’
Weds 4th Rajoelina designates Michele Ratsivalaka as his successor at the head of the CUA
Sat 7th Rajoelina names Monja Roindefo (the son of Monja Jaona) as Prime Minister of his counter-government. In a march on Ambohitsorohitra the Presidential Guard (or military, or mercenaries, depending on sources) fires on crowds of protestors; an estimated 28 people are killed and more than 100 hospitalised. The President expresses his sympathy but criticises the actions of the protestors and calls for a return to normal; Rajoelina calls for a day of mourning
Sun 8th The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, deplores the course of events and calls for discussions
Mon 9th The Minister of Defence, Mme Cécile Manorohanta, resigns due to the bloodshed caused. A senior UN official meets Ravalomanana
Tues 10th Rajoelina does not oppose a meeting of TIM supporters and calls for his own supporters to stay off the streets. A delegation from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) arrives, including Alain Joyandet, the French minister for Co-operation and Francophone countries.
Weds 11th A large meeting of TIM supporters gathers in the rain in Tana; Ravalomanana welcomes it but not in person. The US ambassador says that there has been a good start to efforts at mediation. The African Union (AU) sends a special envoy, Amara Essy.
Thurs 12th Monja Roindefo announce four members of his proposed transitional government: Ny Hasina Andriamanjato, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Jean Claude Rakotonirina, the Minister of Commerce; Mme Razanamahasoa Christine Harijao, Minister of Justice; and Rakotovao Mario Jean Florent, Minister for the Environment. Ravalomanana receives Amara Essy, who highlights the pressing AU summit. The Conseil d’Etat supports the appointment of Guy Randrianarison as the PDS for Tana.
Fri 13th The IOC says it has had encouraging discussions with both sides, and the FFKM says it has an agreement in principle to continue a dialogue. Prime Minister Rabemananjara receives Essy, who comments that the crisis is an internal one for the Malagasy to resolve. Monja Roindefo suspends the appointment of ministers, to respect the wishes of the international community.
Sat 14th Ravalomanana addresses a large crowd in Tana and says there will be an independent enquiry into the recent deaths. Rajoelina calls an end to the dialogue and for Ravalomanana to step down. Rajoelina’s team says that Ravalomanana’s TIKO group owes the state Ariary 240bn, a quarter of which relates to the new Presidential aircraft. Monja Roindefo nominates two new ministers, including at Defence General Raonenantsoamampianina, a former army chief.
Mon 16th A first effort by Rajoelina’s supporters to occupy ministry buildings fails.
Tues 17th Ravalomanana receives the diplomatic corps together with the UN and AU envoys and the IMF, and says he is open to dialogue.
Weds 18th Rajoelina’s supporters hold a sit-in for several hours to blockade ministries. The two sides meet for further talks.
Thurs 19th Rajoelina’s supporters occupy four ministries, without violence. The Minister of the Interior is removed for health reasons, and Rabenja Sehenoarisoa takes his place. Ravalomanana receives delegations from representatives of Parliament, and calls for calm; from the SADC; and from the FFKM, who suggest there could soon be a meeting between the two main protagonists. TV-Viva suggests that Lala Rasendrahasina, the head of the FJKM, vetoed a condemnation by the FFKM of the 7th February killings. Security forces block a protest meeting at Toamasina.
Fri 20th Security forces arrest 50 people as they re-take early in the morning the four ministries that Rajoelina’s supporters had occupied. Rajoelina calls for senior military commanders to visit him that evening. Jean Théodore Ranjivason, a former minister who had joined the opposition, is arrested.
Sat 21st Ravalomanana and Rajoelina finally meet, in an atmosphere described as fraternal. The two sides agree to a halt to street protests, looting, political arrests and disinformation, as a prelude to further discussions.
Mon 23rd Opposition protests take place outside the capital.
Tues 24th Discussions continue but under a news black-out.
Weds 25th Talks fail; Ravalomanana does not attend. He visits Toamasina and Mahajanga.
Thurs 26th Ban Ki-moon sends Haile Menkerios as the UN envoy to rekindle talks.
Fri 27th Thirty opposition groups unite with Rajoelina. Former senator Robert Razaka is arrested. Security forces kill one man and injure at least ten during protests in Fianarantsoa.
The sources for this summary are international agencies such as the BBC, AFP and Reuters as well as various newspapers in Madagascar including the Tribune, L’Express and Les Nouvelles.
Economic and social issues
To compound the political crisis there has been an already difficult start to the cyclone season in Madagascar, which has led to a number of deaths and extensive damage. Cyclone Fanele caused most trouble and an estimated ten deaths in late January; another storm hit on the weekend of the 7th-8th February.
The political crisis will no doubt lead to a substantial loss of revenue from tourism as visits are cancelled and will discourage investment into the country. The hitherto substantial investment in the mining industry was already slowing due to the sharp fall in commodity prices over the last year. The IMF has temporarily blocked the release of funds, as has the US government, while the EU has said that it has suspended disbursements due to the need for further investigation into a number of contracts in 2008.
For a country with unique rainforest and wildlife - the financial impact of the crisis is already clear. A tourist industry worth nearly $400m (£290m) a year has now had two months with no revenue
For more regular info:
In French:
Antananarivo daily newspapers & TV (in French) online Midi Madagascar: www.dts.mg/midi
Madagascar Tribune: www.madagascar-tribune.com
MA-TV: www.matvonline.tv
Sobika Generation www.sobika.com
Links to news agency reports in English
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk and Images of the unrest
Madagascar News: www.madagascarnews.com/
All Africa. com: http://allafrica.com/madagascar/
Another interesting report / point of view in english by Ian Anderson can be found here>>