Crisis in Madagascar

By Michael J.W. Stickings

See, I told you The Reaction is one of North America's leading blogs on Madagascar. Here's another post to prove it.

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Yesterday, it was being reported that President Marc Ravalomanana was "holed up" in one of his palaces, and prepared to die, while opposition leader Andry Rajoelina was leading a coup.

Well, Ravalomanana has resigned. Here's the latest:

Military leaders in Madagascar have conferred full powers on 34-year-old opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, hours after the president resigned.

The officials said they had rejected an invitation from President Marc Ravalomanana to take up power as a military directorate.

Mr Rajoelina earlier installed himself in the president's offices, seized on Monday by pro-opposition troops.

He announced a new constitution and elections within two years.

...[A]fter a day of confusion the military seems to have given clear backing to Mr Rajoelina, apparently resolving a long power struggle on the Indian Ocean island.

How amusing, in a way, that Ravalomanana tried to sell himself as the front man for military rule. So much for those elections that put him in power.

As for the really young new guy, well, time will tell. Elections and a new constitution within two years? We'll see. Given that the military clearly runs the show in Madagascar, there is good reason to be skeptical. Indeed, there is good reason to think that the current crisis may well turn into a civil war.

(Here are some photos.)

We are Madagascar

By Michael J.W. Stickings

As some of you may know, The Reaction is one of North America's leading blogs on all things Madagascar. Oh, I'm exaggerating, you say? Well...

In December 2006, I wrote a post on "Ravalomananamania" -- that is, on President Marc Ravalomanana's re-election win.

That's only one measly post, you say? Well, that's one more post on Madagascar than you'll find at most blogs, no? What's more, I mentioned Madagascar in this post on the abuse of girls in Africa.

So that's one post and one passing reference. Not bad.

Well, let's make it post #2:

Things aren't looking so good for Ravalomanana. Here's the BeeBeeCee:

Madagascar's opposition leader has said he has a mandate to lead a transitional government, hours after troops stormed one of the president's palaces.

Speaking to the BBC, Andry Rajoelina denied that the dramatic seizure of the palace amounted to a coup.

But he said that the President Marc Ravalomanana no longer had the right or the power to run the country.

President Ravalomanana, holed up in another palace, was quoted as saying he was prepared to die with his guards.

Needless to say, stay tuned. We'll be watching this closely.