Last night I was quite optimistic that things would fizzle out during the day. I was wrong. (This happens quite often!)
Reports of looting all over the island were what we heard and read all day.
Fianarantsoa, Andapa, Toliara, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Samabava, Vohemar, Nosy Be. Everywhere.
Magro and Tiko, companies owned by the president were quite popular targets. Two or three Shoprite stores were also looted here in Tana.
My impression, shared by some, is that most of todays looting were opportunistic and not politically motivated. The absence of the armed forces obviously contributed.
Why are/were the military absent?
I have heard various stories.
Some guess that President Ravalomanana lost the support of the Army.
A second theory is a bit more complicated. If the Army confronted the 10 000+ crowd yesterday many people would have died. Therefore it is better to ‘allow’ the looting, because less people will die. If the Government reacted strongly yesterday, they could also have been accused of crushing a valid opposition rally.
A Friend reported gunshots close to her house. Apparently a looter was shot by the army. Deaths have been reported in Tana and elsewhere, but I have no idea how many or how few.
It seems that the armed forces are slowly turning out, trying to bring about law and order.
Some useful and interesting links:
Cyber Observer, Andrydago’s blog with eyewitness accounts and photos
The huge irony is that both President Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina wants what is good for the country. But what is taking place now is detrimental to all. Tourist are reportedly cancelling their trips. International investment can not be encouraged by what they are seeing.
Some have claimed that the biggest stumbling stone, preventing these two men finding a solution is pride. Whether that is true or not, I do not know, but please pray that they will talk and that a solution will be found soon!
Remember to pay for the widow and the orphan.
Filed under: Report
