[Onthebarricades] MADAGASCAR: Anti-government protests and unrest, January 2009

[global resistance roundup]

26-28 January - unrest, looting and police killings as protesters seek 
to oust neoliberal president
Dissidents set fire to state radio station

28 January - protesters attend funeral
31 January - peaceful mass protest

* Protests and citizen journalism in Madagascar
* Voices from Madagascar







http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/29/madagascar.violence.riots/index.html?eref=rss_world

January 29, 2009 -- Updated 1139 GMT (1939 HKT)

Madagascar calms after rioting, deaths
• Story Highlights
• NEW: At least 48 people die in the violence in Madagascar, official says
• After two days of violence and looting, relative calms settles over 
country
• Further violence looms as anti-government protesters gather
• United States is calling for calm and pushing for dialogue between sides

(CNN) -- After two days of violence and looting that claimed the lives 
of at least 48 people, relative calm settled over Madagascar Wednesday. 
But the possibility of further violence loomed as anti-government 
protesters gathered in a central square, vowing future demonstrations.

At least 48 people were killed during the riots that broke out in 
Madagascar.
more photos »

President Marc Ravalomanana and other senior government officials 
surveyed some of the damage Wednesday and vowed to restore order 
"whatever the cost," a government statement said. Ravalomanana ordered a 
member of his joint chiefs of staff to work with the protesters and 
opposition leader Andry Rajoelina to keep the calm.
Meanwhile, Rajoelina -- mayor of the capital, Antananarivo -- addressed 
the protesters at a downtown rally Wednesday afternoon, calling for two 
days of general strikes and another mass demonstration Saturday. The 
strikes would prevent stores and schools from opening.
On Tuesday the authorities tried to control protesters who set fire to 
the state-run media complex the day before. Ravalomanana said he 
initially held off on ordering troops to fight off looters, saying he 
wanted to avoid more casualties.
"It is better that equipment be destroyed rather than human lives," he 
said in the statement, adding that looters would not be prosecuted 
because he "understands the Malagasy people are poor and hungry."
A spokesman for Joseph Ravohanjy Hospital said 48 people were killed and 
more than 100 wounded in the violence since Monday. By Wednesday, a 
relative calm had fallen over the area and Rajoelina's rally at the 
square was peaceful, a Western observer told CNN.
The violence began when protesters stormed the government's radio and 
television station in Antananarivo, Monday morning in response to 
Ravalomanana shutting down Rajoelina's radio station hours earlier.
Ravalomanana's move came just weeks after closing Rajoelina's television 
station last month after the airing of an interview with ousted 
ex-President Didier Ratsiraka.
Viva Radio was back on the air Tuesday as the protesters broadened their 
focus from restoring freedom of speech to targeting businesses owned by 
Ravalomanana, including food distribution centers, according to an 
American community worker in Antananarivo.
By Tuesday afternoon, some of the protesters had broken from the group, 
looting private electronic shops and grocery stores that sat alongside 
the Ravalomanana-owned buildings, Christi Turner said.
"Today and yesterday, it's been a collective disappointment and shock 
and sadness for me and my friends and other aid workers," Turner told 
CNN on Tuesday night. "People have lost their heads in the mob mentality."
She added that the government "is not taking the most effective steps 
controlling the situation," noting that military and police didn't 
publicly address the looters until Tuesday.
Reports of injuries and deaths from resulting fires could not be 
immediately confirmed.

Rodney Ford, public affairs officer for the U.S. Embassy in 
Antananarivo, said the United States is calling for calm and pushing for 
dialogue between the president and the mayor. Both sides have offered to 
negotiate, which a group of ambassadors is working toward.
"We are worried about the loss of life," Ford said. "The Malagasy people 
need to work this out, it's not an issue outsiders can fix. The U.S. 
Embassy is calling for calm and restraint. We are working to mediate 
within both parties."






http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/459261/cs/1/

Madagascar demonstrations fuel looting
India Gazette
Tuesday 27th January, 2009
A mass opposition demonstration has created a tense situation in Madagascar.

On Tuesday police shot dead five looters in the capital Antananarivo.

On Monday, least 14 people were killed during a demonstration against 
the closure of a television station critical of President Mark 
Ravalomanana.

All anti-government demonstrations have now been banned.

President Ravalomanana has called for calm and has offered to hold talks 
with the mayor of Antananarivo, who has been instrumental in controlling 
the demonstrations.







http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/252579,extra-deaths-and-looting-as-madagascar-protests-further-escalate.html

EXTRA: Deaths and looting as Madagascar protests further escalate
Posted : Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:42:00 GMT
Author : DPA

Antananarivo - At least three people have been reported killed in 
anti-government protests that broke out in the island country on Monday. 
Looting has also spread across the capital Antananarivo, starting in the 
Chinatown business district.
The buildings of two television stations considered close to the 
government were set on fire, and according to the latest reports the 
city's central jail was stormed for the release of 3 youths arrested 
earlier for attacks on government buildings.
Government has called on the military to set up roadblocks, as a radio 
broadcaster reported demonstrators threatening to blow up the island's 
strategic oil reserves.







http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/252581,three-dead-looting-breaks-out-after-madagascar-protests--summary.html

Three dead, looting breaks out after Madagascar protests - Summary
Posted : Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:59:59 GMT
Author : DPA

Antananarivo - A mass anti-government rally in Madagascar on Monday 
ended with three people reportedly dead, state television buildings in 
flames and looting widespread. Tens of thousands of people had earlier 
taken to the streets of the capital Antananarivo to protest the rule of 
President Marc Ravalomanana, whom they accuse of being anti-democratic.
The demonstration in the city's May 13th square was called by 
Antananarivo's mayor and Ravalomanana's rival, Andry Rajoelina, on the 
first day of an open-ended general strike.
The strike call appeared to have gone unheeded by many in a country 
where most are too poor to go without pay.
By evening, the sky over the capital Antananarivo was covered by the 
smoke of fires at two pro-government television stations.
Looting, which started in the Chinatown business district, was reported 
to have spread across the capital.
The city's central jail was also stormed by protestors who sought to 
release 3 youths arrested earlier for attacks on government buildings.
Government has called on the military to set up roadblocks, as a radio 
broadcaster reported demonstrators threatening to blow up the island's 
strategic oil reserves.
Monday's demonstration was the latest in a series of opposition protests 
that began after the government shut down a television station owned by 
the mayor in December.
On Saturday, a similar march drew tens of thousands of people.
Ravalomanana had been due to attend a summit of southern African leaders 
in South Africa Monday but he cut short his visit on Sunday and returned 
home.
Rajoelina accuses the president, who was re-elected to a second 
four-year term in 2006 and has vast business interests, of being out of 
touch with ordinary Malagasy people and of trampling their rights.
Ravalomanana owns the country's biggest food company, a radio station, a 
television station, two newspapers and a construction company.
Rajoelina was elected mayor in December 2007 in a landslide victory over 
the ruling Tiako i Madagasikara (I love Madagascar) party candidate.
The government shut down the mayor's popular Viva television station 
after it broadcast an interview with ex-president Didier Ratsiraka.
Rajoelina responded in January by inaugurating a Democracy Square in 
Antananarivo in the presence of 20,000 supporters.







http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.ca5773c7bdf7b7857ea4b08b495215c7.681&show_article=1

Opposition rioters ransack Madagascar radio station

Jan 26 08:10 AM US/Eastern Comments (0)

A mob of opposition supporters ransacked and set fire to Madagascar's 
state radio station on Monday as political tensions boiled over on the 
Indian Ocean island.
Hundreds of rioters raided the Radio Nationale Malgache building in the 
capital Antananarivo after answering a weekend strike call by the city's 
mayor Andry Rajoelina, who has led a wave of anti-government 
demonstrations.
The mounting tensions have forced President Marc Ravalomanana, who came 
to power after disputed elections in 2001, to cut short a trip to South 
Africa.
The mob were among tens of thousands of demonstrators who had turned up 
earlier at a city square gathering, addressed by the mayor.
Some rioters looted furniture, computers and files from the building 
before setting it ablaze and damaging vehicles parked nearby.
Rajoelina has ratcheted up opposition to the government, which he brands 
a dictatorship, since last month when it shut down his television 
network Viva for broadcasting an interview with former president Didier 
Ratsiraka.
"Nowhere in the world has a military force ever succeeded in overcoming 
the force of the people," Rajoelina, standing on the back of a truck, 
told the crowd gathered earlier Monday in a main square in the capital.
"That is why we will continue even if they bring in foreign mercenaries 
to eliminate the mayor," he said, referring to himself, before promising 
to free all political prisoners "when I get to power."
"Power belongs to the people. They can seize it (but) the government is 
proving to be a dictatorship every passing hour," said Rajoelena, 
nicknamed TGV, or high speed train for his rapid-fire personality.
Rajoelina then joined the crowd and marched towards a court house where 
he said he was going to demand the release of a group of university 
students arrested on Saturday.
In other parts of town, protestors erected road barriers and blocked 
traffic, witnesses said.
Rajoelina defied government warnings to hold a major rally on Saturday 
in the capital at which he addressed more than 20,000 and called for a 
general strike.
Ravalomanana, who had been due to attend a regional summit beginning 
Monday in Pretoria, flew back on Sunday night and accused the mayor of 
calling for a revolt.
"The call for revolt and civil disobedience... corresponds to a coup 
d'etat," a statement from the president said, adding that it "tramples 
on the values of the constitution and the republic's institutions."
Several of Rajoelina's supporters taunted the president as his motorcade 
left the airport and at least two vehicles had their windows broken.
Rajoelina, 34, ran against Ravalomanana's party as an independent 
candidate in municipal elections in 2007 and since taking office has 
grown into the regime's most vocal opponent.
He has repeatedly condemned what he says are shrinking freedoms in 
Madagascar and also fiercely criticised a massive project to lease vast 
swathes of farmland to South Korean industrial giant Daewoo.
The Antannarivo mayoral seat has been a politically defining post in the 
country and it is where Ravalomanana rose to become president.
Madagascar has been dogged over the years by political turmoil. The 
run-up to the 2006 presidential elections won by Ravalomana were fraught 
with unrest, including a series of grenade explosions rocking the capital.
The vast Indian ocean island's 2001 presidential elections ended in 
violence and political crisis when then president Ratsiraka refused to 
accept defeat.
The impasse split the island in two -- with two capitals, two 
governments, and a divided army -- until Ravalomanana was officially 
proclaimed president in May 2002.






http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUSLQ32846520090126?feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssEnergyNews&rpc=22

Madagascar protestors burn state media, two dead
Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:33am EST
By Alain Iloniaina
ANTANANARIVO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - At least two people died on Monday when 
tens of thousands of anti-government protesters flooded the streets of 
Madagascar's capital, burning the state-owned TV and radio station.
A security source told Reuters that a policeman and a 14-year-old child 
had been killed on the massive Indian Ocean island during the 
demonstration calling for President Marc Ravalomanana's government to 
resign.
"We know of two deaths," the source said.
A local journalist, Fano Rakopondrazaka, said 11 people had died in a 
stampede during the chaos.
"I saw 11 dead men. They were looters crushed in a stampede," he told 
Reuters from the scene.
That could not be independently confirmed.
The protests came on the first day of strikes called by the opposition.
They are angry at a government decision to shut down a private 
television station owned by the capital's maverick 34-year-old mayor and 
opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina.
Authorities shut the station last December after it broadcast remarks by 
the exiled former President, Didier Ratsiraka. The government deemed the 
remarks likely to incite civil disorder.
The government has accused Rajoelina of stirring up a revolt and called 
for calm and order across the capital Antananarivo.
"All this is the response of a population facing economic difficulties 
and an absence of democracy," one demonstrator told Reuters, as black 
flames billowed out of a supermarket behind him.
Witnesses told Reuters that angry youths looted shops and burnt 
buildings belonging to the local radio and national television stations.
Elsewhere in the capital, a mob ransacked the house of one senator 
closely allied to Ravalomanana.
Relations have deteriorated rapidly between the government and 
opposition in recent weeks.
The authorities accuse the mayor of running the capital poorly, while 
the mayor alleges he is being deliberately obstructed from fulfilling 
his mandate.
Jean Eric Rakotoarisoa, a lecturer of constitutional law at the 
University of Antananarivo told Reuters that the riots were the 
beginning of a political crisis in Madagascar.
"The closure of Viva TV was the final straw. Beyond that there is a deep 
crisis within Malgache society, created by growing hardships and a 
diminishing purchasing power," he added.
Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, has a population of 19 
million and a long history of political instability.
(Writing by Richard Lough; editing by Wangui Kanina and Jon Boyle)






http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-01/2009-01-26-voa33.cfm?CFID=173115474&CFTOKEN=44098256&jsessionid=0030da599d158ec2fd4829d3f534b714e682

Opposition Protests Turn Violent in Madagascar
By VOA News
26 January 2009
Rioting has broken out in Madagascar, where thousands of opposition 
demonstrators have looted and burned the state TV station and set other 
parts of the capital city ablaze.

Madagascar's state TV station burns in the capital, Antananarivo, as 
thousands of opposition supporters went on a rampage through the streets 
demanding a new government, 26 Jan 2009
Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina says at least two people were killed 
Monday during unrest in the capital, Antananarivo, although the casualty 
figures have not been confirmed.

He appeared on an independent radio station to appeal for calm. He also 
asked his supporters to rally in a main city square on Tuesday.

On a different radio broadcast, the country's prime minister, Charles 
Rabemananjara, said talks are underway between the government and the 
opposition to try to end the crisis.

President Marc Ravalomanana cut short a visit to South Africa late 
Sunday and returned home, vowing to restore order. He said the civil 
disobedience amounts to a coup d'etat.

At a rally earlier today, opposition leader Rajoelina called on the 
government to resign. He accused the president of growing authoritarianism.

After the rally, protesters blocked streets, demanding a new government 
and the return of an opposition TV station taken off the air last month.

Supporters of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina during a massive rally 
in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, 24 Jan 2009

Witnesses say fires erupted in several parts of the city, and heavy 
looting was reported. Residents said most radio and TV stations have 
gone off the air, although it was not clear why.

The unrest emerged after Rajoelina called for a general strike which 
boosted political tensions to their highest level in years.

The opposition leader is the mayor of the capital city, the same job Mr. 
Ravalomanana held before he became president in 2002.

The country was torn by political strife in the months before Mr. 
Ravalomanana took office, after his predecessor refused to leave office 
following disputed elections.







http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/811450

Madagascar opposition calls more protests
Reuters
Last updated 22:49 27/01/2009
Two people died on Monday when demonstrations against President Marc 
Ravalomanana's government turned violent, according to witnesses and 
security sources. Crowds set fire to a state media building and 
ransacked shops, with a policeman and teenager killed in the chaos and 
crushes.
Those scenes revived memories of past political volatility on 
Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, and will not help the 
government's efforts to present the nation as a tourist haven and sound 
destination for investment in mining and oil.
Angry at the closure of his private TV station and denouncing 
Ravalomanana as a dictator, Antananarivo's 34-year-old mayor and 
opposition leader Andry Rajoelina is leading the demonstrations. He 
called late on Monday for a resumption of protests on Tuesday in the 
main square.
But he also urged peaceful demonstrations, and said he would hold talks 
with the president.
"I have accepted to talk with President Ravalomanana in the presence of 
ambassadors of countries who give financial support to Madagascar," he 
told Radio Antsiva.
"Keep calm because there are those that will profit from disorder ," he 
added in an appeal to supporters.
Relations between Ravalomanana, a 59-year-old dairy tycoon in power 
since 2002, and Rajoelina, deteriorated when authorities shut his Viva 
television station in December. The president accuses the major of 
trying to stir a revolt.
Residents of the capital said gangs continued to ransack shops linked to 
the president, who has a large business empire, under cover of darkness.
"The looting continued through the entire night", said the city's police 
commissioner Francis Randrianantoandro.
"We have arrested 27 people," he added.
The violence, and possible brewing political crisis, comes as Madagascar 
is going through an oil and minerals exploration boom. Major foreign 
companies investing in Madagascar include Rio Tinto and Sherritt 
International , who plan to extract nickel, bauxite, cobalt and Ilmenite.
Exploration companies are also looking for oil, gold, coal, chrome and 
uranium.
Madagascar has a long history of volatile politics.
In December 2001, both Ravalomanana and his predecessor Didier Ratsiraka 
claimed victory in presidential elections.
Eight months of political instability and sporadic violence followed 
before a court upheld Ravalomanana's victory. Ratsirika fled to France 
where he remains in exile.
Residents of Antananarivo fear a return to the political deadlock and 
economic decline of the early 2000s.
"If there is no dialogue then this will descend into total chaos," said 
one opposition supporter, who was unwilling to give his name because of 
fears of reprisals.






http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7852933.stm

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Burned bodies found in Madagascar
Inside the looted shop in Antananarivo
More than 20 charred bodies have been found in a looted shop in 
Madagascar's capital Antananarivo, following violent anti-government 
protests, reports say.
The bodies are thought to be looters trapped in the burning shop when 
the roof fell in. There is no confirmation.
Police have shot in the air in an attempt to disperse angry crowds and 
looters in the city.
It was the fourth day of unrest amid a growing political confrontation 
between the city's mayor and the president.
'Macabre' scene
Firefighters said they discovered more than 20 bodies in the looted shop 
in the centre of the capital on Tuesday.
State TV headquarters was set on fire on Monday
"I can confirm we have found 25 bodies. They are burnt beyond 
recognition and will be hard to identify," a senior fire official told 
Reuters.
A correspondent working for France 24 TV station in Antananarivo 
described the scene as "macabre".
Meanwhile, both the opposition Mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, 
and President Marc Ravalomanana appealed for calm.
But the mayor imposed conditions on entering into talks with the 
president. He wants those responsible for shooting two protesters 
earlier this week brought to justice.
Mr Rajoelina's TV network Viva was closed last month, after broadcasting 
an interview with Mr Ravalomanana's foe, former President Didier Ratsiraka.
This led to the protests on Saturday, which turned violent on Monday 
when, the Malagasy Red Cross told the BBC, two people were killed and 17 
others were wounded.
The BBC's Christina Corbett in the capital, Antananarivo, says the 
protests have left people afraid of a return to the kind of political 
deadlock that followed Mr Ravalomanana's election in 2001.
Debris
Our correspondent says despite the presence of large numbers of police 
firing rounds into the air on Tuesday, many food and electrical shop 
have been broken into and fires are burning near the city's central 
market area.
Many shops have been looted
Smoke has continued to rise from buildings and warehouses attacked on 
Monday, and the debris left by looters fills the streets, she says.
Mr Rajoelina is refusing to meet the president until those who shot the 
protesters are arrested.
He has also called for a transitional government to be established.
President Ravalomanana has called for talks with Mr Rajoelina, who is 
the 34-year-old mayor of Antananarivo.
"I call on people to calm down. We need to put aside our pride, our 
egos. We need to talk," the president said on private Radio Antsiva, 
according to AFP.
The opposition called the protests after its TV and radio stations were 
shut down and tens of thousands of people gathered to hear a speech by 
Mr Rajoelina on Monday.
The state-owned TV and radio stations were then attacked and shops 
belonging to President Ravalomanana looted.






http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Cape%20Times&fArticleId=4811520

Deaths reported amid looting and fires as Malagasy protesters take to 
streets
January 27, 2009 Edition 2
Alain Iloniaina
ANTANANARIVO: Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the 
Malagasy capital yesterday, burning the state-owned television and radio 
station.
At least two people died, a security source said.
The chaotic scenes seemed certain to dent the government's efforts to 
present the Indian Ocean island as a safe place for foreign investment, 
especially in mining, tourism and oil.
The security source said a policeman and a 14-year-old died during the 
demonstrations calling on President Marc Ravalomanana's government to 
resign.
A journalist, Fano Rakopondrazaka, said 11 people died in the chaos on 
the streets.
"They were looters crushed in a stampede," he said.
The violence broke out on the first day of strikes called by the 
opposition. The call followed the government's closure of a private 
television station owned by the capital's mayor and opposition leader, 
Andry Rajoelina, 34.
Authorities shut the station last month after it broadcast remarks by 
exiled former president Didier Ratsiraka.
The government has accused Rajoelina of stirring up a revolt and called 
for calm and order.
"All this is the response of a population facing economic difficulties 
and an absence of democracy," one demonstrator said as flames billowed 
from a supermarket behind him.
Witnesses said youths looted shops and set alight buildings used by the 
local radio and national television stations.
A mob ransacked the house here of a senator closely allied to 
Ravalomanana, and protesters attacked stores and other businesses owned 
by the prime minister.
The authorities accuse the mayor of running the capital poorly, while 
the mayor alleges he is being obstructed, preventing him from doing his 
job properly.
Jean Eric Rakotoarisoa, a lecturer in constitutional law at the 
University of Antananarivo, said the riots could be the start of a major 
political crisis in Madagascar, which has a population of 19 million.
"The closure of Viva TV was the final straw," he said. "Beyond that, 
there is a deep crisis in Malagasy society, created by growing hardships 
and diminishing purchasing power."
In December 2001, Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka, who had been head of state 
for 26 years, each claimed victory in presidential elections.
Eight months of political spats and sporadic violence ensued before the 
High Constitutional Court upheld Ravalomanana's victory and Ratsiraka 
fled to France.






http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=82597

MADAGASCAR: Protesters on the streets in fourth day of violence

Photo: Christina Corbett/IRIN

Buildings throughout the capital have been burnt and ransacked
ANTANANARIVO, 27 January 2009 (IRIN) - Police fired into the air on 27 
January to disperse looters on the fourth day of civil unrest in 
Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo.

Many of the city's main food and electric stores have been broken into, 
and fires were burning near the city's central market area. The police 
kept a low profile at the height of the looting.

A spokesman for the Malagasy Red Cross told IRIN that two people were 
killed on 26 January and 17 wounded when anti-government protests turned 
violent.

Thousands of people calling for the removal of the government have taken 
to Antananarivo's streets in recent days in response to calls from the 
capital's outspoken mayor, Andry Rajoelina, 34, who has accused the 
government of stifling democracy and clamping down on press freedom. He 
has called for the president to step down, and for the formation of a 
transitional government, which he would lead.

At a rally on 25 January, which took place despite being banned by 
authorities, the mayor called for a general strike in Antananarivo. The 
following day he again addressed supporters, telling them, "Nowhere in 
the world has a military force ever succeeded in overcoming the force of 
the people. Power belongs to the people."

A demonstrator told IRIN, "It is time to change the regime. We want to 
return power to the small people."

President Marc Ravalomanana has called for calm, cutting short a trip to 
South Africa where he was attending a summit of regional leaders. He has 
urged people not to take part in what he has called a "revolt" incited 
by the mayor.

It could get worse

Madagascar has a history of political upheavals and recent events have 
left many people afraid that the current situation could deteriorate 
further.

A disputed presidential election in 2001, in which both former President 
Didier Ratasiraka and Ravalomanana claimed victory, resulted in 
widespread violence and six months of political deadlock that bought the 
country to a standstill. Ravalomanana was declared president after a 
court upheld his victory and was re-elected for a second term in 2006, 
winning 55 percent of the vote.

Political tension in Antananarivo has been on the rise since the 
authorities closed the VIVA television network, controlled by Rajoelina, 
in December 2008. But the relationship between the president and the 
mayor has been strained since Rajoelina was elected in 2007.

On 25 January VIVA's radio broadcasting arm was also closed, sparking 
the demonstrations. Madagascar's state-owned broadcasting complex was 
targeted by crowds demanding that VIVA broadcasts be resumed.
He is just being used by the old dinosaurs of Malagasy politics, who 
want to gain more power

Ravalomanana's personally owned broadcasting station was also attacked, 
and elsewhere in the city offices and warehouse complexes associated 
with the president's business interests were broken into, looted and 
burned.

The international community is urging Ravalomanana and the mayor to 
negotiate, and both men have called for calm. But the mayor has imposed 
conditions before meeting with the president, including that those 
responsible for killing the two protesters on 26 January be bought to 
justice.

Not everyone believes the mayor is the right man to lead the 
transitional government he has called for. "Rajoelina is too young and 
not competent enough to lead the country," a resident who wished to 
remain anonymous told IRIN. "He is just being used by the old dinosaurs 
of Malagasy politics, who want to gain more power."

An army veteran and supporter of Rajoelina told IRIN that dialogue was 
the best way forward. "The future for us is to be able to talk freely to 
the authorities. At the moment we can't do anything - we can't talk to 
the government or the authorities."

cc/oa/he








http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-01/2009-01-28-voa28.cfm?CFID=174175755&CFTOKEN=27821235&jsessionid=883088333936a1ca3eb4585a6a53b7485632

Thousands in Madagascar Attend Funeral for Protestor Slain in Riots
By Scott Bobb
Johannesburg
28 January 2009

Men carry the coffin of a 17-year-old boy, who was killed during violent 
riots in front of the headquarters of the private Malagasi television 
MBS in Antananarivo, 28 Jan 2009
In Madagascar thousands of people have attended Wednesday the funeral of 
a demonstrator who was killed during two days of anti-government 
protests. At least 39 people reportedly died in the violence, many of 
them as they looted burning buildings in the capital.

Diplomats and relief officials reported an uneasy calm had returned to 
Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, and that an overnight curfew had 
been widely respected. Several hundred protestors gathered to 
demonstrate in the city's main square but dispersed quietly.

Nevertheless, many offices and stores remained closed.
Mayor led funeral services for supporter killed during violence

The mayor of the city, Andry Rajoelina, led funeral services for a 
supporter who was killed during the violence. He told French radio that 
his group would continue to demonstrate against what he called the 
authoritarianism and inequities of the government of President Marc 
Ravalomanana.

He says his group wants democracy and an easing of tensions. The 
solution is a transitional government.

President Ravalomanana visited the burnt-out building of Madagascar's 
national broadcaster where he responded to questions over why security 
forces were slow to react to the violence and looting.

He says he gave the order for the military to use restraint. The 
situation had to be properly managed otherwise it would have been a 
bloodbath.

Both leaders called for calm and dialogue but said no talks had begun as 
yet.

The violence began Monday in the capital and spread the following day to 
several provincial cities.
Closing of radio station prompted incidents

In Antananarivo protestors Monday sacked and set afire the national 
broadcasting station and a private station owned by Mr. Ravalomanana. 
They then began looting stores, many of which were owned by the 
president, one of Madagascar's wealthiest businessmen.

The incidents began after the government closed a radio station owned by 
Antananarivo's mayor, Andry Rajoelina. This followed a rally Sunday 
during which the 34 year-old mayor accused the government of corruption 
and authoritarianism.

The confrontation began last month when the government briefly closed 
down Rajoelina's television station after it broadcast an interview with 
former President Didier Ratsiraka.

Ratsiraka has been in exile in France since disputed elections in 2002 
divided the country for six months. The Supreme Court eventually ruled 
in favor of Mr. Ravalomanana. He won re-election two years ago.

The African Union Wednesday issued a statement expressing concern over 
the tensions and urging a resolution of the crisis through dialogue and 
respect for the constitution.





http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2009/01/29/thousands_protest_madagascar_decline/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+World+news

Thousands protest Madagascar 'decline'
January 29, 2009

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - Tens of thousands of opposition supporters 
protested against the president in Madagascar's capital yesterday, two 
days after an earlier rally descended into violence that killed nearly 
40 people.
"We are here to tell the president that there are many problems. This is 
a society in decline," said one demonstrator who asked not to be named, 
accusing President Marc Ravalomanana of dirty politics and unfair 
distribution of wealth.
Armed police were watching, but unlike the chaos and looting after 
Monday's opposition demonstration, the mood was calm.
Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina, a firebrand politician who calls the 
president a dictator, has been spearheading protests since the 
government shut his private radio and television station in December.
REUTERS






http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE50S1Z220090129?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Madagascar deaths rise to 44, shops heed strike
Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:37am EST

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Authorities in Madagascar said on Thursday the 
death toll from this week's unrest had risen to 44, and most businesses 
in the capital heeded a call by the opposition to stay shut as an 
anti-government protest.
"There are 44 bodies in the city morgue," Antananarivo's commander of 
police, Colonel Frederic Raqotonandrasana, told Reuters. "Thirty four 
are severely burned and families are in the process of trying to 
identify them."
Most of those killed were suspected looters caught when a three-storey 
clothes store went up in flames after an opposition demonstration on 
Monday degenerated into violence.
Opposition protests against President Marc Ravalomanana's government 
since the weekend have created a political crisis on the Indian Ocean 
island and brought the worst scenes of street violence for years.
The unrest, on the world's fourth largest island, is marring its image 
as a tourist haven and a secure environment for foreign firms to carry 
out oil and minerals exploration.
The opposition, led by Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina, is demanding 
that Ravalomanana step down to make way for a transitional government. 
He accuses the president of turning Madagascar into a dictatorship.
With the army on the streets, and the smell of burned buildings still 
filling the air, residents formed long queues outside the few stores 
still open to try to stock up on essentials such as oil and rice.
(Reporting by Alain Iloniaina, and Richard Lough in Mauritius; Writing 
by Andrew Cawthorne)






http://allafrica.com/stories/200901270797.html

Madagascar: Protestors On the Streets in Fourth Day of Violence
27 January 2009

Antananarivo — Police fired into the air on 27 January to disperse 
looters on the fourth day of civil unrest in Madagascar's capital, 
Antananarivo.
Many of the city's main food and electric stores have been broken into, 
and fires were burning near the city's central market area. The police 
kept a low profile at the height of the looting.
A spokesman for the Malagasy Red Cross told IRIN that two people were 
killed on 26 January and 17 wounded when anti-government protests turned 
violent.
Thousands of people calling for the removal of the government have taken 
to Antananarivo's streets in recent days in response to calls from the 
capital's outspoken mayor, Andry Rajoelina, 34, who has accused the 
government of stifling democracy and clamping down on press freedom. He 
has called for the president to step down, and for the formation of a 
transitional government, which he would lead.
At a rally on 25 January, which took place despite being banned by 
authorities, the mayor called for a general strike in Antananarivo. The 
following day he again addressed supporters, telling them, "Nowhere in 
the world has a military force ever succeeded in overcoming the force of 
the people. Power belongs to the people."
A demonstrator told IRIN, "It is time to change the regime. We want to 
return power to the small people."
President Marc Ravalomanana has called for calm, cutting short a trip to 
South Africa where he was attending a summit of regional leaders. He has 
urged people not to take part in what he has called a "revolt" incited 
by the mayor.
It could get worse
Madagascar has a history of political upheavals and recent events have 
left many people afraid that the current situation could deteriorate 
further.
A disputed presidential election in 2001, in which both former President 
Didier Ratasiraka and Ravalomanana claimed victory, resulted in 
widespread violence and six months of political deadlock that bought the 
country to a standstill. Ravalomanana was declared president after a 
court upheld his victory and was re-elected for a second term in 2006, 
winning 55 percent of the vote.
Political tension in Antananarivo has been on the rise since the 
authorities closed the VIVA television network, controlled by Rajoelina, 
in December 2008. But the relationship between the president and the 
mayor has been strained since Rajoelina was elected in 2007.
On 25 January VIVA's radio broadcasting arm was also closed, sparking 
the demonstrations. Madagascar's state-owned broadcasting complex was 
targeted by crowds demanding that VIVA broadcasts be resumed.
Ravalomanana's personally owned broadcasting station was also attacked, 
and elsewhere in the city offices and warehouse complexes associated 
with the president's business interests were broken into, looted and burned.
The international community is urging Ravalomanana and the mayor to 
negotiate, and both men have called for calm. But the mayor has imposed 
conditions before meeting with the president, including that those 
responsible for killing the two protesters on 26 January be bought to 
justice.
Not everyone believes the mayor is the right man to lead the 
transitional government he has called for. "Rajoelina is too young and 
not competent enough to lead the country," a resident who wished to 
remain anonymous told IRIN. "He is just being used by the old dinosaurs 
of Malagasy politics, who want to gain more power."
An army veteran and supporter of Rajoelina told IRIN that dialogue was 
the best way forward. "The future for us is to be able to talk freely to 
the authorities. At the moment we can't do anything - we can't talk to 
the government or the authorities."






http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7013874646

Madagascar Violent Protest Death Toll Up, Protesters Hold Peaceful Rally
January 28, 2009 9:54 p.m. EST

Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer
Antananarivo, Madagascar (AHN) - From 68 to 80 people have died from the 
rioting and looting in Madagascar's capital since Monday as thousands of 
anti-government protesters held a peaceful rally on Wednesday.
"There are now more than 80 dead in a few days, so the situation is very 
worrisome," French secretary of state for cooperation Alain Joyandet 
said, according to AFP.
Joyandet said France is monitoring the situation every hour because 
20,000 French nationals are in the African island nation.
A local police official put the number of deaths at 68. Burnt remains of 
37 people were found by firefighters Wednesday inside a department store 
that was looted and burned by anti-government protesters on Monday. The 
victims may be looters who got trapped while the building was burning, a 
fire official said.
Meanwhile, more than 40,000 opposition supporters gathered peacefully in 
Antananarivo on Wednesday following calls by the capital's mayor, Andry 
Rajoelina, for a general strike.
Rajoelina is seeking the resignation of President Marc Ravalomanana for 
closing his TV station in December and for allegedly ruling like a dictator.






http://tvnz.co.nz/content/2455688

Madagascar opposition protests, death toll climbs
Published: 1:37AM Thursday January 29, 2009
Source: Reuters
Tens of thousands of opposition supporters demonstrated in Madagascar's 
capital on Wednesday, two days after an earlier anti-government rally 
descended into violence that killed nearly 40 people.
Witnesses in the main square of Antananarivo, May 13 Plaza, estimated 
the crowd number as at least 40,0000, adding that armed police were 
watching closely but the mood was calm.
The rally was called by opposition leader and city mayor Andry 
Rajoelina. The 34-year-old firebrand politician accuses President Marc 
Ravalomanana, 59, of turning Madagascar into a dictatorship.
The president, a self-made dairy tycoon who used to hawk yoghurt on the 
streets of Antananarivo, accuses his rival of trying to overthrow the 
government.
"I appeal to people to remain calm," Ravalomanana said in a statement in 
front of the damaged state media compound in Antananarivo.
The death toll from Monday's violence rose when the fire service said up 
to 37 corpses of suspected looters had been found in a store burned 
during the unrest.
The macabre find in the shell of a former three-storey clothes store 
would take the death toll from this week's violence on the Indian Ocean 
island to 39.
"We have found perhaps as many as 37 bodies," said the fire officer in 
charge at the scene.
"It is hard to determine the precise numbers because the bodies are 
badly damaged, and there are limbs scattered all over the place," he 
added in a telephone interview.
Rajoelina and Ravalomanana have both called for calm, but are yet to 
start talks between themselves to resolve the impasse.
Tourism and mining
The political crisis is denting Madagascar's image as a popular tourist 
venue and a destination for foreign investment in its mining and oil 
exploration sectors.
Major foreign investors include global miner Rio Tinto and Canada's 
Sherritt International, which plan to extract nickel, bauxite, cobalt 
and Ilmenite. Companies are also looking for oil, gold, coal, chrome and 
uranium.
The top diplomat for the African Union (AU) said the unrest and deaths 
risked destabilising Madagascar and urged dialogue between the feuding 
sides.
Jean Ping "is deeply concerned by the prevailing political tension and 
the risk it poses to the stability of the country," said an AU 
statement. "He urges all stakeholders to resolve the current crisis 
through dialogue and respect for constitutional order and legality."
Rajoelina's supporters torched a state media building earlier in the 
week at the height of the street violence.
The president said an arrest warrant had been issued for Rajoelina's 
cabinet director General Dolin Rasolosoa and for Roland Ratsiraka, the 
nephew of ex-president Didier Ratsiraka.
The government shut the mayor's radio station last month after it ran an 
interview with the former president from France.
Paris, which controlled Madagascar from the late 19th century until 
independence in 1960, has called on the Malagasy authorities to show 
restraint in the search for "a peaceful and lasting solution," a foreign 
ministry statement said.
The world's fourth largest island, Madagascar has a history of political 
unrest.
In December 2001, both Ravalomanana and his predecessor Ratsiraka 
claimed victory in a presidential election. Eight months of instability 
and sporadic violence followed before a court upheld Ravalomanana's 
victory. Ratsirika fled to France.






http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/28/madagascar.violence.riots/index.html?eref=rss_latest

January 28, 2009 -- Updated 0400 GMT (1200 HKT)

Calm in Madagascar after violence leaves 34 dead
• Story Highlights
• NEW: At least 34 people have died in the violence in Madagascar, Red 
Cross says
• After two days of violence and looting, relative calms settles over 
country
• However, further violence looms as anti-government protesters gather
• United States is calling for calm and pushing for dialogue between sides
(CNN) -- After two days of violence and looting that claimed the lives 
of more than 30 people in Madagascar, relative calm has settled over the 
Indian Ocean island nation. But the possibility of further violence 
loomed as anti-government protesters gathered in a central square, 
vowing future demonstrations.

At least 34 people were killed during the riots that broke out in 
Madagascar.

President Marc Ravalomanana and other senior government officials 
surveyed some of the damage Wednesday and vowed to restore order 
"whatever the cost," a government statement said. Ravalomanana ordered a 
member of his joint chiefs of staff to work with the protesters and 
opposition leader Andry Rajoelina to maintain the calm.
The violence began when protesters stormed the government's radio and 
television station in the capital Antananarivo on Monday morning in 
response to the president shutting down Rajoelina's radio station hours 
earlier.
A Red Cross official, who declined to be named, said at least 34 people 
have been killed in the violence since Monday. By Wednesday, a relative 
calm had fallen over the area and Rajoelina's rally at the square was 
peaceful, a Western observer told CNN.
Meanwhile, Rajoelina -- mayor of Antananarivo -- addressed protesters at 
a downtown rally Wednesday afternoon, calling for two days of general 
strikes and another mass demonstration Saturday. The strikes would 
prevent stores and schools from opening.
Madagascar authorities on Tuesday tried to control protesters who set 
fire to the state-run media complex the day before. Ravalomanana said he 
initially held off on ordering troops to fight off looters, saying he 
wanted to avoid more casualties.
"It is better that equipment be destroyed rather than human lives," he 
said in the statement, adding that looters would not be prosecuted 
because he "understands the Malagasy people are poor and hungry."
The president's move to shutter the radio station came just weeks after 
the closing of Rajoelina's television station following the airing of an 
interview with ousted ex-President Didier Ratsiraka.
Rajoelina's Viva Radio was back on the air Tuesday as the protesters 
broadened their focus from restoring freedom of speech to targeting 
businesses owned by Ravalomanana, including food distribution centers, 
according to an American community worker in Antananarivo.
By Tuesday afternoon, some of the protesters had broken from the group, 
looting private electronic shops and grocery stores that sat alongside 
the Ravalomanana-owned buildings, Christi Turner said.
"Today and yesterday, it's been a collective disappointment and shock 
and sadness for me and my friends and other aid workers," Turner told 
CNN on Tuesday night. "People have lost their heads in the mob mentality."
She added that the government "is not taking the most effective steps 
controlling the situation," noting that military and police didn't 
publicly address the looters until Tuesday.
Rodney Ford, public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, 
said the United States was pushing for dialogue between the president 
and the mayor. Both sides have offered to negotiate, which a group of 
ambassadors was working toward.
"We are worried about the loss of life," Ford said. "The Malagasy people 
need to work this out, it's not an issue outsiders can fix. The U.S. 
Embassy is calling for calm and restraint. We are working to mediate 
within both parties."






http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/29/2477835.htm

Protesters turn Madagascan capital into ghost town
Posted Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:27pm AEDT
Updated Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:26pm AEDT
The Madagascan capital has been deserted as residents heeded a call by 
the city's mayor to turn it into a ghost town after anti-government 
protests that have killed at least 68 people.
Shops and businesses were shut, schools remained closed and the weekly 
Thursday market was deserted with only small stalls in local 
neighbourhoods open, an AFP correspondent reported.
However public transport was operating and cars passed intermittently on 
the practically deserted streets.
Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina had earlier urged residents to stay 
at home as he issued an ultimatum to the Government to punish those 
behind the killing of a protester on Monday.
Mr Rajoelina, a vocal government critic, called for a general strike 
against President Marc Ravalomanana's regime which he has labelled a 
dictatorship.
The demonstrations turned nasty Monday as protesters looted shops, set 
fire to the state radio building, and ransacked Mr Ravalomanana's 
private TV station.
The protests have posed the biggest political threat yet to Mr 
Ravalomanana who won a second term of office in 2006.
Mr Rajoelina has been at odds with the Government since his December 
2007 election.
The tense relations worsened last month when the Government shut his 
television station after airing an interview with former president 
Didier Ratsiraka.
-AFP






http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfV75EHUookBtBk2OlprGZBpDTzgD960SFRO3

Madagascar leader to put radio station back on air
2 hours ago
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Madagascar's president made a 
conciliatory gesture Thursday, promising to put a radio station back on 
air after its closure sparked anti-government rioting that left at least 
43 dead.
President Marc Ravalomanana also said he was open to "dialogue and 
discussion," according to a statement his office issued Thursday.
On Monday, protesters set the government broadcasting complex ablaze, 
along with an oil depot, shopping mall and private TV station linked to 
Ravalomanana after the government blocked the station owned by the 
capital's mayor. The mayor, Andry Rajoelina, accuses Ravalomanana's 
government of misspending funds and threatening democracy.
Rajoelina says he has the military's support and is ready to take over 
an interim government. But the constitution requires a president be at 
least 40, and Rajoelina is 34.
The presidential statement said Ravalomanana chaired a Cabinet meeting 
Thursday to discuss the unrest on this Indian Ocean island off Africa's 
southeast coast.
"The president confirmed this private channel's broadcast would be 
restored," the statement said. Rajoelina's station has been back on air 
since being shut down early Monday, but the broadcasts have been weak 
and only intermittent.
The president had taken a harder line earlier in the week, saying "those 
who incited people ... are guilty" and calling for the arrests of a 
former army chief of staff and a nephew of a former president he accused 
of fanning the violence.
Western diplomats have pressed Ravalomanana and Rajoelina to talk out 
their differences.
Neils Marquadt, the U.S. ambassador to Madagascar, said Thursday: "The 
resumption of dialogue has to be the next step. We're waiting for the 
right moment and we're optimistic it's going to occur very soon."
French officials have rejected statements Rajoelina has made that the 
former colonial power backs him. Marquadt said the same about similar 
comments Rajoelina has made about the U.S.
"We are not on any side," the U.S. envoy said. "We are on the side of" 
the people of Madagascar.
Violence has subsided since Monday. The U.S. Embassy has advised 
Americans here to stay off the streets for now, calling the situation 
"still volatile."
At least 10,000 people gathered Wednesday for a rally at which Rajoelina 
called for a general strike.
Rajoelina has called for another rally Saturday.
Madagascar is known for its rare wildlife and eco-tourism — but also for 
its history of political unrest and infighting.
Ravalomanana clashed with former President Didier Ratsiraka when both 
claimed the presidency after a disputed December 2001 election. After 
low-level fighting split the country between two governments, two 
capitals and two presidents, Ratsiraka fled to France in June 2002.
Ravalomanana won re-election in 2006, though two opposition candidates 
tried to challenge the validity of the vote. That year, a retired army 
general called for the military to take control of the former French 
colony.






http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2461985,00.html

1000s protest in Madagascar
31/01/2009 12:47 - (SA)

Antananarivo - Around 2 000 demonstrators heeded the call of 
Madagascar's opposition leader Andry Rajoelina Saturday to hold a 
protest against the regime in the centre of the capital.
Some protestors hurled rocks at security forces while the crowd, wearing 
the orange caps and tee-shirts of Rajoelina's movement, awaited the 
arrival of its hero on May 13 square, a symbol of the nation's 
democratic struggle.
Two trucks packed with anti-riot forces swiftly turned back when they 
were met by several hundred protestors, some of whom started throwing 
stones, an AFP correspondent reported.
The Indian Ocean island's capital was rocked by riots when tens of 
thousands turned out for a similar protest on January 25, while another 
demonstration was held peacefully on Wednesday.
At least 68 people have been killed across the country over the past 
week, according to security officials.
In recent days, Rajoelina, who is the mayor of Antananarivo, has become 
more vocal in his criticism of President Marc Ravalomanana, whom he 
describes as a dictator.
The 34-year-old mayor - a former DJ, a keen businessman and a gifted 
orator - has risen to the status of undisputed leader of the opposition.
On Friday, he announced he intended to lead the country in a two-year 
transition process aimed at ending the iron-fist rule of Ravalomanana 
and organising new elections.
- AFP






http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/253609,peaceful-mass-anti-government-protest-on-madagascar.html

Peaceful mass anti-government protest on Madagascar
Posted : Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:59:52 GMT
Author : DPA

Antananarivo - Around 30,000 people on the Indian Ocean island of 
Madagascar took part in a peaceful demonstration against the government 
of President Marc Ravalomanana on Saturday. The rally was organized by 
Andre Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital Antananarivo. Heavily armed 
security forces were deployed at the start but later withdrawn.
Madagascar has been the scene of recent daily protests and unrest, in 
which more than 100 have killed and many injured.
Rajoelina and the opposition is accusing Ravalomanana of sliding into 
authoritarianism and of being out of touch with the plight of ordinary 
people.
Rajoelina has called for the establishment of a transitional government 
under his leadership.

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-01-29-madagascan-capital-a-ghost-town-after-protests

Madagascan capital a ghost town after protests
ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR Jan 29 2009 11:17

The Madagascan capital was deserted on Thursday as residents heeded a 
call by the city's mayor to turn it into a ghost town after 
anti-government protests that have killed at least 68 people.

Shops and businesses were shut, schools remained closed and the weekly 
Thursday market was deserted with only small stalls in local 
neighbourhoods open, an AFP correspondent reported.

Public transport was, however, operating and cars passed intermittently 
on the almost deserted streets.

Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina on Wednesday urged residents to stay 
at home as he issued an ultimatum to the government to punish those 
behind the killing of a protester on Monday.

Rajoelina, a vocal government critic, called for a general strike 
against President Marc Ravalomanana's regime, which he has labelled a 
dictatorship.

The demonstrations turned nasty on Monday as protestors looted shops, 
set fire to the state radio building, and ransacked Ravalomanana's 
private television station.

The protests have posed the biggest political threat yet to Ravalomanana 
who won a second term of office in 2006.

Rajoelina has been at odds with the government since his December 2007 
election. The tense relations worsened last month when the government 
shut his television station after airing an interview with former 
president Didier Ratsiraka. -- AFP






http://www.pbs.org/idealab/2009/01/protests-in-madagascar-and-the-importance-of-citizen-journalism-training028.html

Protests in Madagascar and the Importance of Citizen Journalism Training

by David Sasaki (Bio), January 28, 2009
Tagged: madagascar, mobileactive, protests, rising voices, south africa, 
training
As Juliana and I emphasized during a presentation at last year's 
MobileActive conference in South Africa, just because over three billion 
people are equipped with cell phones, which can be used as tools for 
reporting during emergencies, that doesn't mean the world has three 
billion citizen journalists ready and able to cover every natural 
disaster, political uprising, and news-worthy event they encounter.
The recent coverage of Tropical Storm Eric, Cyclone Fanele, and the 
ongoing protests and political turmoil in Madagascar by local citizen 
journalists reveals the importance of 1.) citizen journalism training 
programs, 2.) the translation and contextualization of local content for 
a global audience, and 3.) networks of media groups so that local voices 
can be amplified and understood when breaking news hits.
In the case of Tropical Storm Eric and Cyclone Fanele, which last week 
battered Madgascar's east and southwest coasts respectively, local 
bloggers filled the void left by the official Department of Risk and 
Disaster Management's complete lack of web presence. Cyclones are an 
annual issue for residents of Madagascar and, as local blogger Lomelle 
notes, while they can't be stopped, disaster preparedness can certainly 
improve. She photographed an evacuation exercise in the capital city, 
Antananarivo, as a model of how other cities and villages around the 
country can better prevent injuries and deaths when cyclones hit.
Lomelle, a student at the Mahajanka school of journalism and a fan of 
slam poetry, learned how to upload photos to the web and maintain a blog 
during a series of workshops hosted by Foko Madagascar, a Rising Voices 
grantee project. Foko aims to bring more of the world's attention to the 
Malagasy people - rather than just lemurs and Disney films - by training 
Malagasy citizens how to use citizen media to portray their daily 
realities and connect to the online global conversation.

Foko Madagascar bloggers Diana and Lomelle at last year's E-bit conference.
Long before the mainstream media reported any political tension in 
Madagascar, Lova Rakotomalala linked to two Malagasy bloggers covering a 
rally protesting President Marc Ravalomanana's decision to close the 
national television and radio stations run by Andry Rajoelina, the 
opposition leader and mayor of Antananarivo. Using his cell phone, 
Avylavitra shot this video of protesters running in the streets and 
uploaded it to Flickr:
The intensity of political protests then escalated. On January 26 
several radio and television stations stopped broadcasting, but Twitter 
users continued to get the word out in real time via text messaging and 
the mobile web. Writing on Global Voices, Lova Rakotomalala linked to 
previous posts in order to provide readers with enough context to 
understand how an island nation best known to outsiders as an ideal 
setting for Disney cartoon characters could become consumed by so much 
anger and violence:
• December 2007: Municipal elections in Antananarivo lost by governing 
party against a young self-made businessman, not unlike the current 
president.
• November 2008: Prospective land deal with Daewoo Logistics draws 
outrage nationally.
• December 2008: Conflict over the alleged improper broadcasting of 
political speech and its unsuing closing of the broadcasting television 
station.
• January 2009: Series of unusal prison Breaks all over the nation.
• January 2009: As tropical storms hit Madagascar, political 
demonstrations against government expand. In a cruel twist of irony, the 
regions hit by storms are also the ones closely involved in the 
prospective land deal.
All of this rich and real-time information would never have been 
possible were it not for the many citizen journalism training workshops 
held by the dedicated Foko Madgascar team. They also had the help of 
some visiting outsiders like Eddie Ávila of the Voces Bolivianas project 
who visited Madagascar last October and can be seen here showing Lomelle 
how to upload a podcast:

Two years ago the Malagasy blogosphere was nascent and its members 
resided almost entirely in the diaspora. Today when searching Google 
News for "Madagascar" two of the five most relevant stories come from 
Global Voices and feature the observations and opinions of local 
bloggers (the same is also true when searching the Spanish-language 
version of Google News):

As consumers of media it is important for us to recognize that 
Madagascar is rarely mentioned in major media outlets like the New York 
Times unless the article is about social unrest or the death toll 
following a cyclone. Madagascar, like other African nations, is much 
more than just a disaster story and the Foko Bloggers, in addition to 
proving themselves worthy citizen journalists during tumultuous times, 
have also spent much of the past two years painting a more holistic 
portrait of their country.
Juliana Rincón, who is involved in the HiperBarrio project in Medellín, 
Colombia, points to three different videos made by Foko Madagascar 
participants which show a side of life in Madagascar that most of us 
would otherwise never see. Koloina, who focuses on Malagasy culture, 
shows the ingenuity of 11-year-old Toky and his recycled aluminum car toys.
Patrick, a Foko bloggers studying at the University of Tamatave, 
produced a video about a young boy who performs outside to make money. 
Theo, also studying at the University of Tamatave, employed his 
impressive English skills when interviewing a visiting South African 
pastor about thankfulness. Finally, Ariniaina decided to shoot a video 
of a 14-year-old boy who has spent the last five years of his life 
singing in the streets for money:
It has been 3 years now that, every evening after work, I have met this 
young guy singing on the stairs of Antaninarenina. It has been 3 years 
now that I am used to give him money 'cause he is so cute with his 
little guitar and his gospel songs. Today, I decided to talk to him and 
asked him a few questions. He smiled and looked down and finally agreed. 
I told him that I would talk about him on my blog and English Corner 
page so people who will meet him will recognize him and, maybe, will be 
nicer to him.







http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/01/25/madagascar-devastating-tropical-storm-makes-way-for-a-political-one/

Madagascar: Devastating tropical storm makes way for a political one

Sunday, January 25th, 2009 @ 03:20 UTC
by Lova Rakotomalala

A few days after passing Madagascar, the official toll from the damages 
caused by Cyclone Fanele have finally come in. President Ravalomanana 
president flew to one of the affected areas to assess the extent of the 
devastation.
Cyclone citizen media initiative
While the BGNRC (department of risk and disaster management) is still 
without an official website, reports pertaining to the damages are being 
aggregated on an open-source Google map by two bloggers, Marie Sophie 
Digne and Tomavana (fr).
Here is a summary of the damages, according to IRIN, via ReliefWeb:
New figures from Madagascar's National Office for Natural Disasters 
Preparedness (BNGRC) indicate that cyclone Fanele claimed eight lives 
and affected some 40,400 people [..] The BNGRC said a further 63,000 
people were at risk in Menabe if heavy rain continued to fall. Relief 
teams are still assessing the damage caused by the two storms, and 
figures are expected to rise as more information on the full extent of 
the damage is gathered.
Political turmoil
The Malagasy blogosphere was also buzzing with political news and 
commentary about a new massive political gathering today (Jan 24th) and 
a call for a national strike to demand the resignation of the entire 
administration.
Many bloggers have provided live blogging and images of the event 
(additional images on facebook).
Blogger Ariniaina provides a brief factsheet on the background of the 
turmoil:
Andry Rajoelina (or Andry TGV) had a TV Station named VIVA and still 
have a radio station with the same name. The minister of the 
communication has decided to close the TV station VIVA due to a 
documentary movie that this station had broadcasted. It was a message 
from the former President of Madagascar, Didier Ratsiraka [..] Since 
then, the Mayor ( of Antanarivo, Andry Rajoelina) gave an ultimatum to 
the government to re-open VIVA TV station before January 13 [..] As 
Andry didn’t get what he wanted, he invited the people of Tana to go on 
a strike AGAIN today, January 24.

( demonstration photo via ariniana )

Blogger Jentilisa provides in-depth analysis of the discourse on both 
sides of the political spectrum and cautions against the spreading of 
unverified rumors (mg):
Toy izany ihany koa nisy hazo nianjera tao amin'ny kianjan'ny 
demaokrasia, noho ny fahanterany mazava loatra (tatitra heno tamin'ny 
radio tana, kidaona maraina) nefa misy manadrohadro hoe “lazao fa 
sabotazy ihany koa e!”; eo indrindra isika, fambara zavatra amin'ny hafa 
hatrany ny zavatra toy izany na dia tokony ho tsy misy dikany aza. Eo 
amin'ny toe-tsaina minomino foana mbola ananan'ny maro dia mbola 
fampitandremana aloha izay,
A tree fell on the square for democracy (where the meeting took place) 
because of the evident affluence ( message heard on the radio); still 
some claim “say that it was a sabotage”. So here we are, talking about 
insignificant events instead. We are still so prone to believe anything 
we hear and I would like to caution against that.
Blogger Avylavitra reminds us that the government is also trying to 
terminate VIVA radio and that the reason it advances for it does not 
hold up. There is a law against private radio broadcasting all over the 
country. Yet, one pro-government radio MBS has been broadcasting 
nationally for 5 years without any threat of censorship (mg):
Tsy hoe fanenjehana ny MBS akory no ilazako izany fa filazana kosa hoe 
‘Natao ho an’iza ny lalàna?'
I am not trying to single out MBS. I am just asking: ” Is the law only 
applicable for a few ?”

( Malagasy activist yes we can shirt by avylavitra)
History repeating itself
Mialisoa Randriamampianina, a journalist and blogger, is dissapointed to 
see a replay of the events in 2002, with the same errors, same bellicose 
rhetoric and a democracy that is still far from mature (fr):
À défaut d’une véritable culture politique, ce grand public se rabat sur 
la bonne vieille offuscation des éternelles victimes, le ton toujours 
plus haut, la prudence toujours bradée [..] Ainsi faisait-on en 2002, 
ainsi fait-on en 2009 [..]: la rue est devenue le chemin forcé, la 
menace, le recours incontournable. Et au bout, une implosion qui n’est 
pas forcément utile. Il y a sûrement une juste manière de se faire 
comprendre, en dehors des intimidations un peu trop faciles et de la 
condescendance maladroite. En attendant un peu de sang-froid, on en est 
tous là, en train de naviguer à vue d’œil ou à l’aveuglette. Et on 
appelle cela « une quête de la démocratie »…
Without a true political culture, the crowd is resorting to the old 
whines of eternal victims, the noise ever louder and prudence thrown out 
the window [..] So we did in 2002, so we will in 2009 [..] the street 
has become the only way, the leverage, the absolute recourse. 
Eventually, an implosion that may not be very useful. There has got to 
be a way to convey your message, without the easy intimidations and the 
awkward condescension. While we wait for a bit of perspective from 
cooler heads, we are here, trying to find our way out. And we called 
this ” a quest for democracy”
Randy also a blogger/journalist, agrees that Madagascar may still may 
not be ready for a true democratic process (fr):
Et c’est bien ce qui inquiète une partie de l’opinion. Car, dans tous 
les pays du continent qui se sont livrés à ce jeu, c’est toujours par 
des manifestations d’une spontanéité suspecte que commence la mise en scène.
And that is what scares some. As was the case in most countries of the 
continent that tried the (democratic) game, suspiciously spontaneous 
public protests set the stage.
The irony of the current president threatened by a public tour-de-force 
reminiscent of his own ascendancy to power is not lost on blogger 
Rajiosy (fr):
L’ironie de l’Histoire veut que celui-là même qui a outrepassé l’Etat 
naguère a eu pour tâche de restaurer l’autorité de cet Etat et de 
stabiliser ses institutions. Il se retrouve aujourd’hui mis en demeure 
de conforter cette pérennité. Tâche difficile on l’a vu face à une 
partie de population versatile.
The irony of the story is that the same person who back then overrode 
the rule of law now has the task to restore the authority of the state 
and stabilize its institutions. He is now faced with trying to 
consolidate his position. A difficult task considering the volatility of 
public opinion.
Maturing twittosphere
An intriguing development during this political process was the 
emergence of an active Malagasy twittosphere who posted political 
development in a real time manner. One can follow a timeline of related 
tweets by searching for #madagascar:

Posted by Lova Rakotomalala
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