You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2009.
At 8.50 a.m. when I past by the Independance Avenue, only few people were there and a lot of organizers of the meeting led by Andy TGV.
One of the blockings - next to shoprite Analakely
At 9.30 a.m. there were trucks of gendarmes who took away the chairs the organizers put on Place du 13 Mai. the crowd there got upset and threw stones to those gendarmes who, finally, left the place. The strikers decided to put blockings surrounding the area of Place du 13 Mai in order to avoid the entering of more trucks of gendarmes.
While waiting for their leader Andry Rajoelina, the pro TGV were animated by the famous Sareraka (always present during such festivity) and Rakiky.
General Dolin
Senators
Lahiniriko Jean
Alain Ramaroson
Wellknown politicians were also present such as Alain Ramaroson, Lahiniriko Jean, current Senators, representative from Toliary, from Fianarantsoa, from Mahajanga (from the 6 provinces but only those 3 people made a short speech supporting Andry Rajoelina), representative of union … who turn by turn took the floor. I would not forget to mention General Dolin.
Journalists (and bloggers) were there... doing their job... reporting
The Mayor arrived at Place du 13 Mai at 11.00 a.m. and after a prayor led by a pastor, a speech led by Perle Rasoloarijao, Andry Rajoelina took the floor and announced the “big” decision he promised yesterday.
Perle Rasoloarijao (see pic above) explained some points of the Constitution that, according to the pro TGV, the President Marc Ravalomanana did not respect: penetration of foreign force army who took off the transmitter of VIVA radio and who protected the MBS station; the state sold a 1.3 millions hectares of land to asouth Corean company, DAEWOO Logistics (Wanted by the Métropole); non respect of the investiture and the Constitution by buying the AIR FORVE I with 60 millions dollars…
Andry Rajoelina
Andry TGV said it is no more time for discussion. He waited and waited and waited (yesterday, then this morning) but… nothing. Now, the pro TGV wants the current President Marc Ravalomanana and the current gov to resign.
Today, for the “big decision”, Andry Rajoelina proclaimed himself the first responsible in Madagascar and then the “one” who will take decisions and who will lead all minitries in the Island.
Andry Rajoelina also announced that there are military officers who are still working with the current gov so he, TGV, will discuss with them.
The protest will keep on on Monday, February 2nd, 2009 at 10.00 a.m. always at Place du 13 Mai Analakely. All ministries will be closed on Monday, Andry Rajoelina ordered, and all workers will come to the meeting in Analakely.
Let me remind you what happened on Monday, January 26th, 2009.
Andry Rajoelina led “his people” to the Palace of Justice at Anosy where some of those strikers threw stones to RNM/TVM station. But, according to the Mayor, he and his followers kept on their way and went to CENAM. Since ” his people” shouted “MBS…MBS…MBS”, this is what Andry TGV replied:
“Tsofy rano aho andeha fa tsy ho any amin’ny MBS mba tsy isian’ny hoe ny Ben’ny Tanàna no nitondra anareo any. Fa satria izay angatahan’ny vahoaka no atao dia tsofy rano aho andeha ary tsofiko rano ianareo ho any”.
[free translation] “Let me leave you and not go to MBS so noone can say that the Mayor brought you there.Because we do whatever the people want, let me leave you but I let you go there (to MBS)”
This reply was a BIG, BIG, and BIG MISTAKE.
In a Mayor’s interview on Radio Antsiva (see previous post Tana on a strike: January 27th, 2009), he said:
We (the Mayor and his followers) are Pacifists. We want Peace. That’s why we wear orange, colour of Pacifism. (In fact, orange is colour of Democracy)
When you are PACIFIST, you are against any kind of violence. Andry Rajoelina exactely knew that his followers wanted to attack and to destroy MBS but, as a leader, what did he do? or should I say what didn’t he do? Andry Rajoelina did not even try to convince “his people” not to go to MBS because of the “Pacifism” he always mentions. Instead, he “blessed” his followers to go to (and to destroy) MBS.
Let me remind you the following of this story. There were gendarmes at MBS, protecting this propriety. Well, foreigner gendarmes or mercenaries said the Mayor. (I don’t know because I was not there). Two young people among the crowd were shot by those agents. Reaction of Andry Rajoelina?
I would not meet the President until the gendarmes who shot the young guy at MBS will be judged. (one of the conditions)
And he even kept on with “Arresting Roland Ratsiraka or Dolin shouldn’t be the matter but condemning the “real” criminal who is this gendarm who killed the young guy of 18″
(Well, there were two young guys who died in this MBS story but, I guess, only one family agreed to use the death of their son, brother as a “hero” for having fought for the country’s delivery from, what do they call?,… “autocraty”).
This decison was another BIG, BIG, and BIG MISTAKE.
Firstly, we should all know that everyone has the right to protect their propriety, right? By coming in the zone of MBS, these young guys and the crowd were wrong. The agents shot in the air first to prevent those strikers to continue their goal but… they did not care, they kept on. The shots were gone and … you know what heppened.
Secondly, by accepting that this young guy (we will use only one as I said) was killed during the protest led by the Mayor, Andry Rajoelina totally agreed that the responsible of the destruction of MBS is TGV followers. Though, he completely denied the other attacks and robberies. I am sorry, but it is normal if people are confused.
Madagascar : Bernard Kouchner appelle au dialogue et à la retenue (28 janvier 2009)
Le ministre des Affaires étrangères et européennes, Bernard Kouchner, s’est entretenu avec le président Ravalomanana, avec le maire de Tananarive, Andry Rajoelina, et avec Roland Ratsiraka.
Le ministre a appelé tous ses interlocuteurs au dialogue, à la retenue et à l’unité nationale afin de trouver une issue pacifique et durable à la crise que vit actuellement Madagascar.
Il a souligné que la France était attachée à ses liens d’amitié avec Madagascar et au respect de la légalité, et entendait rester strictement impartiale.
Il a exprimé à ses interlocuteurs ses condoléances pour les victimes et souligné l’importance d’assurer la protection et la sécurité des populations malgaches et étrangères.
Notre ambassade et nos consulats restent en contact très étroit avec la communauté française. Par précaution, les établissements scolaires ainsi que les instituts de recherche restent fermés aujourd’hui. Des consignes de prudence ont été prodiguées à nos compatriotes. Nous déconseillons tout déplacement à Madagascar.
The Mayor Andry TGV has ordered that today would be a dead city. We could notice that only big shops were closed. Banks started to open today but customers had to come in one by one.
Cabs and buses still work.
Street sellers could not stop their every day resources.
We could notice the presence of military officers downtown. There were many in front of Shoprite Analakely. Anyway, it seems like the Capital City feel secured now.
Strike=NO
There were few people who gathered at the Place du 13 mai. They want the protest led by Andry TGV to stop.
The access to Behoririka shops is blocked.
Streets of Tana are full of trashes.
There were young guys who came with bags and brooms to clean the streets of Behoririka.
Latest news, RNM, TVM and MBS are back.
- The strike in Tana restarted this morning at the Place du 13 Mai Analakely. The force army was present. Andry TGV told his followers, who were fewer than at the beginning of the protest, that those gendarmes were there with them.
Retired people waiting for the opening of the post office in Antaninarenina
- Retired people queued along the post offices in town in order to perceive their monthly due. They have been there since 7.00 a.m. It was already 9.00 a.m. when the post office in Antaninarenina decided to open. At11.30 a.m., only a few people were not paid.
- Only one Bank in Antaninarenina was open this morning. Long queue at all ATM downtown. People needs money to buy basic foods. We never know how long all of this may take.
- Starting from yesterday, the President Marc Ravalomanana has been at Iavoloha.
- This morning the President went to RNM/TVM in Anosy, MBS in Anosipatrana and MAGRO in Tanjombato seeing the damages. Few people were still robbing the rest of materials at MAGRO when Ravalomanana passed by. He said he would not do anything to those poor people but only to the “responsibles” of the attacks.
- Curfew from 9.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m. starting from yesterday, decreed Andry Rajoelina.
Trading Center 100% destroyed
- Two more shops were robbed then burnt on Monday night (but I didn’t get the news before today): Trading Center and Samkokwa in Analakely. More than 20 people were found charred at Trading Center.
- The President Marc Ravalomanana ordered the Praiminister to put back the transmitter of VIVA TV. (By taking such decision, maybe the President wants to show that he is really willing to negotiate)
- Only few gas stations are open. They have decided to limit to 20 liters of gas per car. This way, they can make sure that all customers will get their part. Using cans and bottles to pour the gas are not allowed. This is for security.
- Marc Ravalomanana announced that Roland Ratsiraka and General Golin Rasolosoa are behind all of these robberies. The two of them are now Wanted by the police. The President asked anyone who knows where Roland Ratsiraka and Golin may be hided to inform the gov.
Interview of the Mayor of Tana, Andry Rajoelina, on Radio Antsiva (8.30 to 9 a.m.)
The Mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina
The President Marc Ravalomanana agreed to meet and to discuss with Andry Rajoelina. This is an answer to his prayer said the Mayor. Though, Andry Rajoelina
would not meet the President until the gendarmes who shot the young guy at MBS will be judged ;
and until the foreigner gendarmes “Mercenaries ” quit Madagascar.
The Mayor decided to stop the strike on The Place du 13 Mai for today. Instead, he invites all strikers to stay home.
The Mayor promised to meet investors today to find a solution to all of these damages.
The strike is not over. But Andry TGV reminds people (well, his followers) to stay calm, to “fight” in peace.
Andry Rajoelina condemns the act of terrorism that happened yesterday. At the same time, he denied those acts as his responsibility saying that “his people” could not do those attacks and robberies downtown.
Andry Rajoelina is asking the force army and the police corps to take their responsibility. If they don’t do anything, the Mayor of Tana will negotiate with them tomorrow and find out what to do.
The sad thing in this story, kept on the Mayor, is that no authority, no force army, no gendarmes, no policemen reacted against the terrorism of yesterday. Why didn’t the gov order them to protect the citizens? “There is no gov now”, he continued.
Andry TGV explained what He and “His People” did yesterday. They walked to the Palace of Justice in Anosy in order to claim the release of
3 students (3 not 4 as I said yesterday in Tana on a strike: January26th, 2009). TGV said that those students were witness of some “high people” who
hired some other groups of people to use the cocktail Molotov one week ago. So those students have nothing to do with this story.
Then, there were few people who threw stones to RNM and TVM stations in Anosy. TGV followers waved their hands to stop the violence. Andry TGV said they have pictures to prove this.
They continued to CENAM while those few people kept on destroying then burning RNM and TVM stations.
As soon as they arrived at CENAM, people shouted MBS… MBS… MBS…, so the Mayor said: “Tsofy rano aho andeha fa tsy ho any amin’ny MBS fa raha misy manam-pikasana andeha ho any dia tsofiko rano ianareo anao izay tianareo atao”.
(Dear People, I will not go to MBS so, please, let me go. But if some of you are willing to go there, you can do whatever you want to do).
So some people went to MBS in Anosipatrana when some other followed the Mayor to the Place du 13 Mai. “Gaga aho raha nahazo fiantsoana an-taroby milaza fa efa misy
andian’olona miandry any amin’ny Hotel 5 Etoiles sy MAGRO Tanjombato. (I was astonished when I received phone calls informing me that there were already groups of people waiting at Hotel 5 Etoiles (in Ivato) and at MAGRO
Tanjombato), said Andry Rajoelina. “How could this be possible”, he kept on, “while the strikers were at MBS?”
As the Police didn’t react, we, the Mayor and his troupe, have sent around 20 people to try to stop the vandalism.
“Ny tanako dia madio. Tsy nibaiko ary tsy nanome baiko, ary fantatry ny vahoaka izay, amin’izao fandrobana izao”. (My hands are clean. I never ordered anyone to do such acts; and people know it).
We, the Mayor and his followers, are Pacifists. We want Peace. That’s why we wear orange, colour of Pacifism.
News Round up:
- The water is not poisoned confirmed Radio Antsiva and people from JIRAMA this morning.
- Prison of Antanimora had been attacked but no prisoners could escape.
COURTS at 67HA
(pic from r1lita’s blog)
- Bao Lai and NAZA Electronic shops were robbed as well, late at night, yesterday. Same thing happened to COURTS in 67Ha.
- 13 people died at MAGRO Tanjombato. Those people were among the robbers. Their death was caused by gas explosion, hot oil, or bags of 50 kilos of rice falling on them.
- No gas station open. Only few buses and cabs still work in town.
- MaTV, RTA and TV PLUS transmit again
- MaFM, VIVA radio, Radio Mada, RTA work again.
- The robberies kept on today. The gendarmes started to work and are trying to handle the situation.
- The strike is general. In Diégo, Majunga, Tamatave, Antsirabe, there were riots and robberies as well.
The President Marc Ravalomanana on Radio Antsiva at 1.40 p.m.
The President Marc Ravalomanana
He waited for the Mayor since 12 noon but Andry Rajoelina didn’t come. The President is still willing the meeting between the 2 of them.
He promised Malagasy citizens that He is doing all his best to bring everything back to normal.
He promised that robberies and strikes will stop very soon.
He invited all people to be wise and stop these violence and robbery.
He insisted on the fact that afterall WE all love Antananarivo and discussion is a good way to find out together an appropriate solution.
He taught people that there is no benefit on destroying other’s property. It will take years to set up those things which had been destroyed in a half day.
Foreigner investors who were willing to co-operate with Madagascar are now afraid due to the current situation and changed their mind.
He encourages all the people who had their houses, shops, companies destroyed.
He also thanked all “friends” who relate what “really” happen here in Madagascar. They are helpful, He said. (Did he mean Bloggers?)
May the Lord God bless us. We have always trusted Him.
Early this morning, at 2.55 a.m., the force army cut the transmitter of VIVA Radio despite the TGV followers who stayed the whole night around Ambohimitsimbina to protect it.
When I switched on the TV this morning, I was estonished when TVM (the National TV) didn’t work. The transmitter had been cut as well but we don’t know how or by who.
The Mayor’s followers have met at 10.00 a.m. at the Independance Avenue as planned on Saturday (see previous article Tana on a strike: January, 24th, 2009).
Blockings in Ambodivona
(pic from The Cyber Observer’s blog)
At 7.30 a.m., it was already impossible to penetrate Analakely. Those strikers have placed blockings (not only downtown but in several neighborhoods in Tana such as Ambodivona, Ambanidia… )
TVM/RNM at Anosy
(pic from r1lita’s blog)
This strike has contributed in a lot of damages in town: TVM (the National TV) and RNM (the national Radio) were burnt, Magro (Ravalomanana’s shops) in Behoririka, Ankorondrano and Tanjombato were burnt as well, same thing with the President’s radio and TV stations MBS and several private radio stations, no TV station can transmit, two people were killed by the gendarms, COURTS, JUMBO SCORE and ZOOM (those are shops) were robbed. Recently, we heard from Antsiva Radio that Suprême Center and CITIC (those are shops… again) in Behoririka have been robbed as well. Antsiva radio also announced that the prison of Antanimora had been broken.
Almost all offices, schools and shops downtown were closed today, not to go on a strike but taking precautions for their own security.
Due to this strike and all those destructions, families queued at the shops (out of town) to buy basic foods (rice, oil, salt, sugar, soaps, candles, matches, charcoal… – just in case).
This morning, around 11.00 a.m. those strikers walked together to the Palace of Justice in Anosy. They claimed the release of 4 students of Ankatso who were arrested yesterday. Those 4 students are suspected by the police of the use of cocktail molotov (in Nanisana and Befelatanana). Many of the students in Ankatso believe that the police are mistaken and want the justice to let their friends go.
Very last news: a group of people have poisoned the water of Mandroseza witch the JIRAMA uses to provide Antananarivo.
I’m worried… How far will this go?
Dear President, we are always with you
The President Marc Ravalomanana came back from south Afrika, yesterday. Early in the morning, Malagasy people, well… The President followers were invited to come and great the President arrival through a message down the screen of MBS TV.
Millions of people replied to the invitation and had waited along the streets from Ivato to Ambohitsirohatra passing by Ambohibao, Talatamaty, Ambohimanarina, Ankazomanga, 67Ha, Antanimena, Analakely. Many of the people came with streamers saying We still love Ravalomanana or Srike=NO…
The President’s airplane landed at Ivato at 4.30p.m. It was already 8.00p.m. when he passed by Ankazomanga. It was already late but people waited.
MBS TV and Radio were around animating people while waiting.
Obviously, many followers of the Mayor were also among those people especially in Ankazomanga and in 67Ha. And news said they made a mess destroying cars passing by.
AndryTGV, the current mayor of the Capital City, invited citizens of Antananarivo to go on a strike.
Well, let me go back to the beginning of the story.
Andry Rajoelina (or Andry TGV) had a TV Station named VIVA and still have a radio station with the same name. The minister of the communication has decided to close the TV station VIVA due to a documentary movie that this station had broadcasted. It was a message from the former President of Madagascar, Didier Ratsiraka. And the news reported that this message was inciting people to go on a strike and not accept the autocracy that the current President, Marc Ravalomanana, does. Because the Malagasy gov judged this message as an incitation to a “coup d’ Etat”, VIVA TV had been censured. This was on December13.
Since then, the Mayor gave an ultimatum to the government to re-open VIVA TV station before January 13… but… nothing… The Mayor invited all people of the Capital City to an opening ceremony of the garden of Ambohijatovo as Park of Democracy on that deadline, January13.
As Andry TGV didn’t get what he expected, he invited people of Tana to go on a strike AGAIN today, January 24, to ask the gov to open the Mayor’s TV station. The rendez-vous was in Ambohijatovo at 10.oo a.m. but they have decided to move to Analakely, Place de 13 Mai, around 1.30 p.m., and then ended with a walk to Ambodivona (see pics above) where the station is, well… should be.
Andry Rajoelina wants the people of Tana to a general and big strike on Monday 26, calling all workers and students.
How far will this go?
It has been 3 years now that, every evening after work, I have met this young guy singing on the stairs of Antaninarenina.
It has been 3 years now that I am used to give him money ’cause he is so cute with his little guitar and his gospel songs.
Today, I decided to talk to him and asked him a few questions. He smiled and looked down and finally agreed. I told him that I would talk about him on my blog and English Corner page so people who will meet him will recognize him and, maybe, will be nicer to him.
” My name is Rado and I am 14 years old”, he said. It has been 5 years now that he has done this little job: singing in the streets for money.
Rado has started with his older brother. Since his brother has got a job, he decided to do it alone. Well, sometimes I see him with a little girl. “Oh, she’s my little sister”, he said.
This young guy lives with his mother and his 5 siblings (he is the 5th child) in Manjakaray (3 or 4 km from Antaninarenina).
“I used to go to school”, he said, “but since my father died, I stopped ’cause my family needed money so I decided to only sing here”. At the beginning, he sang on the afternoon when I did not have class. Unfortunately, due to his father’s death, he quited school at T4 level.
I asked him if he would love to go back to school if someone would help him. He was not really sure but answered “Yes”.
Rado sings only gospel songs because “they are great songs”, he explained. Also, he prefers singing than only begging. He believes that his songs go to people’s heart.
He did not want to mention how much he could get every day. But he said that there are more Malagasy people who give him money than Vazaha (foreigners).
Rado has a dream: finding a better job because singing all day long his really tiring.
Well, I sincerely appreciate this young guy’s courage to sing in front of millions of people (who are most of the time so busy and do not even try to take a look at him) in order to help his mother feeding the poor family.
I hope that next time you pass by Antaninarenina stairs (from 9.00 a.m. to 5.oo p.m.), you will take a few minutes to listen to Rado’s gospel songs and will nicely give a few money for him and his family to eat.
Recent Comments