Divided Madagascar fêtes 50 years of independence

The Indian Ocean island of Madagascar was on Friday preparing to fête 50 years of independence mired in political and economic crisis and without an elected president or a new constitution.

For the first time many residents have not hung the national flag from their windows, an indication of how deeply the country is divided in the run up to Saturday’s celebration of independence from France.

“Normally I hang up a flag, but this time round ... regardless of my political inclinations, I wouldn’t like people to interpret it,” said Tojo, who lives in the centre of Antananarivo.

A popular uprising headed by Andry Rajoelina led to the removal of president Marc Ravalomanana in March 2009 after he lost the support of the army.

Rajoelina, an ex-mayor of Antananarivo, has been running the country since then, but without the recognition of the international community, which has led to the suspension of vital aid.

Ravalomanana’s supporters have organised an alternative rally for Saturday—in the car park of a company belonging to the former president.

“People have died; others are in prison or have no work—we’re going to highlight all that rather than celebrate anything,” said opposition leader Jean-Louis Rokotoamba.

He said he was confident that the meeting would not spill over into violence and security forces in the capital have warned they will be on the look out for anyone bent on creating trouble.

Ambitious festivities
Despite this tense climate, Rajoelina’s administration has organised ambitious festivities, with a hymn and a logo created especially for the occasion and several days of free events.

“Imagine if we hadn’t planned anything.

Madagascans would have been in despair,” Culture Minister Mireille Rakotomalala said.

Since the beginning of the week there has been a party mood on the streets of Antananarivo where people have cast off their problems temporarily, and thronged the concerts given daily by local and international musicians.

The international community is also divided on whether its representatives should attend the official independence anniversary celebrations organised by Rajoelina.

Embassies represented in Madagascar have “not succeeded in coming up with a clear common position” and “most of them will make a last-minute decision” said a diplomatic source who asked not to be named.

Since Rajoelina seized power several rounds of talks have failed to reach a consensus on how to find a way out of the crisis.

Andry Rajoelina, who had on several occasions announced that an elected head of state would preside over the festivities for 50 years of independence, recently announced a referendum will be held in August—or perhaps later—followed by legislative elections in September and a presidential poll in November.—AFP