Political crisis in Madagascar.
Those who consider to go to Mada in coming weeks and months have to look at the political situation, as there will be risks of strikes (Airmad?, airports services.).
I was on east coast in past 6 weeks, now coming back to Europe and followed events on TV and newspapers. As well as from messages of embassy preventing to go around center of Tana where most events occur.
Recent story:
You have to know that presidential election was supposed to take place in November / December 2018.
In line with this prospect, an electoral bill was passed at National Assembly mid-April, of course initiated by the Government and present President: Hery.
Rajaonarimampianina.
It involved a strong denonciation by 73 opponent Deputies, affiliated to parties of former President Ravalomanana, former Head of Transition Rajoelina, and independent.
What they precisely criticized in the bill remains unclear, but they highly denunciated corruption of Deputies with suitcases of banknotes circulating in the Parliament.
Accordingly they initiated what they called «* a report to voters*» in front of Mairie of Tana on 22/23 April. In fact a demonstration to denounce corruption and unfair bill. This demonstration was forbidden by the Government.
Accordingly, what might have been expected happened. The police tried to disperse demonstrators, stones were launched on the police which shooted (1 demonstrator killed - 2 later in hospital- tens of injured). The Government transmitted condolences to families.
Before this demonstration and riots, before week-end, in a typical Malagasy way. The President had left the country on a commercial Air Mauritius flight without notice (for memory, previous President Ravalomanana had been obliged to escape to South Africa after similar riot in 2009 inducing 31 deaths). Finally he came back the next week. As it was a relatively limited risky situation, after condolences and mourning.
From this moment opponents, asked for resignation of the President. And daily demonstration occurred in Tana (with some similar support demonstration against the President, last week- end in main cities).
Now, in Tana, opponents try to push to strike civil servants (including customs.) closing Ministries with lockers!
In the meantime, Constitutional High Court cancelled most of the disputed bill, but the 73 Deputies request President resignation, to sue corrupted pro Government Deputies. All that blocking the supposed smooth process to presidential election planned for year end.
The UN General Secretary, the African Commission. Sent envoys to help to end the crisis.
But with bad souvenir of previous actions of international community, -which induced 4 years of Transition (2009- 2013) and to a certain extent, is responsible of present Presidency (as obvious leaders Ravalomanana and Rajoelina agreed to be replaced in 2013 by supposed supporters (Hery Rajaonarimampianina was supposed to run for Rajoelina. But run for his personal account as soon as elected in a typical Malagasy way) most leaders refuse today intervention of international community.
Madagascar cannot be understood in African standards: after the recent riots, the Minister of Defence and all representatives of the armed force met to declare that al, parties had to sit around a table to solve the situation and prepare elections. (In other African countries, they would have met to denounce the disorder and seize power themselves, to organise elections. At the advantage of a military leader!
More, the police (supposed under the Government order!) after the deaths declared next day, they will no more intervene in any dispersion of demonstrators, but only protect buildings and avoid shops to be stolen.
So is present Madagascar.
But on daily life in the provinces, nothing changes. Girls and 90 % Malagasy are are out of political world. Even if denouncing corruption, asking for elections for all is a strong demand of the society.
