By: Latoyia KimbroughAn article in the New York Times discusses the Island of Antananarivo, Madagascar and the deadly antigovernment protests that threaten this democratic country. Just days ago one of the two politicians claiming to run the country Major Andry Rajoelina declared that he was now in charge, threatening the power of this country’s current president Marc Ravalomanana. Rajoelina and his supporters accused the president of being a dictator who cares nothing about the people in one of the poorest countries in the world. More than half of its 20 million citizens live on less than $1 a day. Rajoelina said before a crowd of 3,000 people on Saturday that “since the president and the government have not taken their responsibilities, I proclaim I will now rule Madagascar and set up a transitional government. A request for the immediate resignation of the president will soon be filed with Parliament in order to comply with the legal procedure”. The military of the country refused to choose sides and last week the hostility turned violent.
Last Monday, the conflict between the two politicians erupted when authorities battled anti-Ravalomanana demonstrators. More than 30 people died in a fire at a building full of small shops. Some estimate that there have been more than 100 people dead from the two days of protests and there is the possibility of more bloodshed ahead. Soldiers arrived to the rally on Saturday but left after being assaulted with rocks thrown from the crowd. American ambassador R. Niels Marquardt said that “they’re intent on keeping order, but their position now is they want to remain neutral”. He also believes that the solution is for the feuding politicians to exchange ideas and unity the country. They both claim that they are willing to communicate but there is always something that prevents them from coming together. The citizens are unhappy with the government and this is displayed by a woman’s comments made on the capital’s radio station. She states that “politicians always use the poor people to get into power, and then they forget us and I don’t believe them anymore.”
Last Monday, the conflict between the two politicians erupted when authorities battled anti-Ravalomanana demonstrators. More than 30 people died in a fire at a building full of small shops. Some estimate that there have been more than 100 people dead from the two days of protests and there is the possibility of more bloodshed ahead. Soldiers arrived to the rally on Saturday but left after being assaulted with rocks thrown from the crowd. American ambassador R. Niels Marquardt said that “they’re intent on keeping order, but their position now is they want to remain neutral”. He also believes that the solution is for the feuding politicians to exchange ideas and unity the country. They both claim that they are willing to communicate but there is always something that prevents them from coming together. The citizens are unhappy with the government and this is displayed by a woman’s comments made on the capital’s radio station. She states that “politicians always use the poor people to get into power, and then they forget us and I don’t believe them anymore.”
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