Madagascar
Madagascar under martial law

afrol News, 1 March - While self-proclaimed president Marc Ravalomanana today presented a list of his new government, Madagascar found itself under martial law and clashes between Ravalomanana's and President Didier Ratsiraka's supporters were reported from Antananarivo, the capital. Antananarivo's radio and television stations were prevented to broadcast.

Tension is still rising in Madagascar, with the groups supporting Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka making use of more drastic actions. Ravalomanana claims he won the 16 December presidential election, a claim sustained by independent election observers. Ratsiraka and the international community demand a second poll round. 

When opposition leader Ravalomanana "seized power" in a ceremony on 22 February, Ratsiraka answered with proclaiming a state of emergency. After almost two months of peaceful mass demonstrations in favour of Ravalomanana, first reports of deaths were came on Monday when two opposition supporters were killed. Ratsiraka yesterday imposed martial law in Antananarivo.

President Ratsiraka had not made a public appearance since 22 February, when he fled the capital to his political stronghold. Yesterday, however, he made a statement imposing martial law because of the general strike, hurtful to the economy, and the violence, which he blamed on the opposition. Meanwhile, supposed supporters of Ratsiraka keep blocking strategic roads into Antananarivo and other towns.

The president appointed General Leon Claude Raveloarison as the military governor of Antananarivo, taking all powers of the city in direct competition of Ravalomanana, who is also the city's mayor. Ratsiraka was quoted saying he thought that "in this way we will be able to help the mayor of Antananarivo put the town back in order. The workers will go back to work; the students go back to school, so everyone gets on with their normal lives." 

General Raveloarison was reported to have initiated talks with the Antananarivo mayor and Malagasy "President" to address the crisis. Ravalomanana was however little impressed by Ratsiraka's decisions, and yesterday claimed he had heard nothing of the martial law. According to his party, Tiako i Madagasikara, notice of the martial law had only been given through Ratsiraka's press conference in Iavoloha but an "official declaration was absent". The party, only referring to Ratsiraka as an "Admiral" denounced the action as a unilateral and illegal "coup of force".

Indeed, the Antananarivo population was informed about the martial law through the international press today, as it had not been announced on national media. Ravalomanana's supporters had demonstrated in front of the technical head office of the national television throughout the day and blocked the access to the relay station. These media were thus prevented to broadcast the presidential message. The broadcast of Ravalomanana's swearing in of the new "Prime Minister" was however also blocked.

The limited media access of the President reflects the breakdown of his real powers. Most government ministries in Antananarivo have closed due to the general strike. Madagascar's official Prime Minister, Tantely Andrianarivo, yesterday was forced to flee his home after it was surrounded by Ravalomanana's supporters. The only ministers available for comment on the island are mostly from Ravalomanana's newly appointed alternative cabinet.

Ravalomanana's "Prime Minister" Jacques Sylla today in the Ambohitsirohitra Palace made public a list of his new "cabinet", consisting of 15 ministers, one vice-PM and a Secretary of State in charge of security and police. While Sylla said the missing names of the "Minister of Defence" and "of Foreign Affairs" would be published later, Ravalomanana told the press; "These ministers represent the whole Madagascan nation."

The new "Prime Minister" Jacques Sylla is a former Malagasy foreign minister who counts on some international respect - a weakness of Ravalomanana's campaign. Sylla is well known to the diplomatic community and is originally from Tamtave on the east coast, like President Ratsiraka, according to a UN representative in Antananarivo. Sylla had also played a role in the failed efforts to negotiate a settlement with Ratsiraka's government. 

The Malagasy military has declared their neutrality in the dispute and have not acted against supporters of either side. Through the imposition of martial law, the army now the army however is supposed to move in on forbidden public protests in the capital, which is to say, Ravalomanana's supporters. Analysts however claim it is unlikely that the military will take action due to "a split in the army." Ravalomanana's supporters are still active in the streets 24 hours, and the army has so far not made any moves.

Although martial laws made an impression on Antananarivo inhabitants, the situation in the city is reported to be calm. The violent tendencies reported earlier this week seem to have slowed down.

Sources: Tiako-i-Madagasikara, Malagasy govt., press reports and afrol archives 

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