spotlight madagascar

From Reuters yesterday, reports of Ravalomanana’s impending return, and Rajoelina’s accusation that  he’ll go to any length to get power back. Do counter-coups work? Also, again with the mercenaries? That line is so played out. I seriously doubt that Ravalomanana would do something that stupid. I also hope he wouldn’t, because I’m on the cusp of buying some very expensive plane tickets.

Side note, I heard rumors that Rajoelina was angry enough to carry out his coup plans because he was trying to date Ravalomanana’s daughter, and R8 wasn’t having it. At this point, I’d believe it.

Ravalomanana, who fled to southern Africa, insists he remains the legitimate leader of the

from World Culture Pictorial

Indian Ocean island and has rejected sharing power with Rajoelina.

“Today there are people who are thirsty for power,” Rajoelina told French RFI radio in an interview recorded on Friday. RFI released written excerpts of the interview, which is due to be broadcast Thursday.

“There are people who are even ready to come and retake power with mercenaries. Everyone is talking about it. And that is what Mr Ravalomanana is doing,” Rajoelina said.

I’ve been watching TV Plus Madagascar all morning! It’s incredible to be able to watch news in Malagasy (not French) like I used to when I lived there.

In other news, Daewoo Logistics just wanted to clear things up with all of us about their land grab; this is their official communication:

In response to the news recently published by several news papers and radios, locally or internationally, regarding the investment planning of Daewoo Logistics Corp.(DWL) in Madagascar. Daewoo Logistisc Corp. would like to officially explain current situation of the investment plan.

1. DWL corp. ,as a private investor, has a strong interest to invest in agriculture field in Madagascar.
2. For the purpose in point 1. DWL has done a land- survey to find a feasible area to cultivate.
3. At this time, there is not yet a contract on the land between DWL and Madagascar Government.
4. There is not yet any discussion about the fee because it will depend on the contract later, therefore the information released that DWL acquired a land for free is incorrect.

Antananarivo, Friday, November 21, 2008
Daewoo Logistics Corp.

A leter from Yong-Nam AHN President & CEO. Daewoo Logistics
To His Excellency Minister Marius Ratolojanahary,

Your Excellency Minister Marius Ratolojanahary,

I am honored and always deeply thankful for Your Excellency’s sincere interest and support for Daewoo Logistics Corporation as well as our subsidiary MFE, Daewoo Logistics’ legal entity found for the plantation business in Madagascar.

Your Excellency, I assume that Your Excellency along with many cabinet members, ministers and Malagasy people were heart broken and disturbed by the series of maliciously insulting jealousy articles aimed at both Madagascar and Daewoo Logistics from the Financial Times without requesting any interview with any of employees from Daewoo Logistics. Myself along with ail employees from Daewoo Logistics are also stunned and sad because of the Financial Times’ abusive articles that are full of errors with no information background.

We are very angry at the Financial Times’ one sided article aiming at the friendly cooperative business between the two countries with previous heart broken experience of colonial years. I wish to assure you that the articles from the Financial Times are totally not intended by Daewoo Logistics. They are solely responsible for manufacturing the article with their own intention.

We are however fortunate that other major medias such as Bloomberg. AP, AFP and Reuters are publishing fair and objective opinions.

We are truly committed and have strong intention to develop our plantation business between Madagascar and Daewoo Logistics so that Madagascar benefits from the project in economy development aspects.

I sincerely hope Malagasy people’s well being in addition to Your Excellency’s well being. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Your Excellency’s good health and Madagascar’s endless flourishing development.

Yong-Nam AHN
President & CEO. Daewoo Logistics
Sincerely yours,

I don’t even know where to start with this. If it smells like shit, it probably is shit. I hadn’t read any rumors that Madagascar was giving away the land for free. That was never the problem with this “deal”. The problem is that it will DESTROY the economy of Madagascar, with no benefit to ANYONE except the people that have the power and money, not to mention the effect that growing massive amounts of corn has on the land itself and how none of the proceeds or profits will be staying in the country. How can people not see this? I am flabbergasted. Every day that goes by that they’re actually considering this proposal is an insult to the people of that country, and every day that we don’t stand up and question the things like this that are happening all over the developing world… well, let’s just say we aren’t doing them any favors either.

BUT, it gets even more interesting this morning. Reuters is reporting that TGV will snatch power over the weekend if demands are not met. I’m not sure what the demands are. Democracy, maybe?

“We will wait until Saturday. If there is no reply or peaceful solution from the president, then we will put in place a transitional government,” he said.

And, finally this from Associated Press and the town I love most, Tamatave:

Madagascar authorities have arrested leaders of an anti-government movement based in the Indian Ocean island’s principal port city, according to news reports Tuesday and the country’s main opposition leader.

Some of it is more of the same, recycled articles from Reuters and AP in foreign papers, etc. But AFP had some updates about 10 hours ago on the meeting of the African Union-the Prime Minister of Madagascar is attending that:

Other conflicts also demanded the summit’s attention. With Madagascar’s political crisis worsening by the day, the head of the AU Commission Jean Ping warned on the eve of the summit that “any unconstitutional change of power will be condemned.”

Hours after Ping spoke, opposition leader Andry Rajoelina proclaimed himself in charge of the island’s affairs, in a shock move escalating his battle against the president’s regime.

Madagascar is supposed to host the next AU summit in July, and sent its Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara to the current meet in Addis Ababa.

It seems as though there’s a shortage of cooking oil and rice, and most of the supplies that Malagasy people use in their daily lives. Rumor has it that the President has a stockpile somewhere. It’s getting weirder.