Sunday and Monday were pretty uneventful days, by the recent standards at least.
The Malagasy minister of defence, Cécile Manorohanta Dominique, resigned. According to an unnamed source on Moov.mg she has been considering resigning for about two weeks.
Quoted from DagoTiako
In this period of political crisis, I sympathize and I morally support all families victims of the shootings at Ambohitsirohitra . As a mother I do not accept this violence”, said Cécile Manorahanta. Her conscience could not endure the bloodshed.
“The police were supposed to protect people and property so after all that happened, I have decided to no longer be part of this government.” , explained Cécile Manorahanta.
Vice Admiral Mamy Ranaivoniarivo, the military chief of staff to the presidency of Madagascar, was appointed as the new Minister of Defence.
The appointed UN representative, Haile Mekeiros, met with President Ravalomanana and later with Mr Rajoelina. The president, according to reports, accepted Haile Mekeiros as facilitator. His opponent made it clear that he will only talk if three demands are met.
Firstly a transitional government should be invested. Secondly early elections should be held, and lastly Mr Ravalomanana should be prosecuted.
He also proclaimed a general strike for tomorrow, 10 February.
The African Union will also send a representative, Mooring Essy. A goverment delegation, under Minister Alain Joyandet, will meet with a high level delegation of the Indian Ocean Commission
Note
It seems as if things are reaching a point where I can not maintain my objectivity. That is one of the reasons why I have been posting less and less as the situation worsened.
As a foreigner in this lovely country, I can not pretend that I understand the politics. I have no special insight into who is telling the truth or who is lying. I feel that I do not have the right to use a public forum like this blog to share my views on the local politics.
So,if I do appear to have lost my objectivity, forgive me and pleae point it out to me. Above allI desire that people will know how to pray intelligently for the people of Madagascar.
Pray that the media will report honestly and accurately. I have personally heard and saw things that are not even close to the truth, but nothing else than incitement.
This morning someone told me that she could not find dried beans, the poor man’s protein, at the market. The price of rise has risen. Charcoal, which most people use to cook has become considerably more expensive. It rose from 9000Ar a bag to 16 000Ar in the space of two weeks. Oil is between 8000 and 10 000Ar a liter.
The official exchange rate for 9 February as per BVF SG Madagascar
EURO EUR 2 523
Dollar USD 1 974,010
Pound GBP 2 895,370
Swiss Franc CHF 1 685,810
Japanese Yen JPY 21,660
Canadian Dollar CAD 1 591,170
Swedish Krone SEK 239,910
Norwegian Krone NOK 288,920
South Africa Rand ZAR 198,520
And remember that on average the working Malagasy earn less than a Dollar a day.
A friend said to me, ” I think that if the riots continue Madagascar will be completely destroyed.”
Please Lord, roads can be rebuilt. Cell-phone towers erected again. But at what cost? What about all those who will lose their lives? Please Lord, hear our prayer and save the country and the people you love!
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