Violence in Madagascar

A political battle has spilled out into the streets, leaving 39 people dead so far in Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar . News reports call it “total chaos” and speak of burning buildings, police shooting into the air trying to control angry crowds, and streets filled with debris left behind by looters.

At the core, the battle is between the mayor of Tana,  Mr. Andry Rajoelina and the president of Madagascar, President Ravalomananana.

The mayor  has accused the government of “stifling democracy and clamping down on press freedom.” Rajoelina has asked President Ravalomananana to step down, making way for a transitional government that he would then lead. After Rajoelina broadcast a television interview with former President Ratsiraka  – a political enemy who lost power to Ravalomananana in a controversial election in 2001  –  the supporters of both political parties took their protests to the streets. On Saturday, Rajoelina adressed a crowd of  tens of thousands in the  city square, calling for a general strike –  causing Ravalomananana to cut short his trip to South Africa.

When two large warehouses and a television station owned by Ravalomananana were attack and burned, mercenary guards shot into the crowd, killing a 17-year-old man.  Though Ravalomananana has called for talks with his opponents, Rajoelina refuses to dialogue until the shooters are identified and arrested. A military curfew has now been imposed keeping residents in their homes between 9 pm and 4 am.

Please pray for the safety and protection all of our friends in Tana – and our partners there, Cathy and Ibrahim Ravoahangy. Pray for the hundreds of children in their program. Pray for Jonoro And Hanitra in the Mikea Forest as violence begins to spread to other regions. They live in a remote and dangerous place, far from any police or army protection. We have a prayer request for a certain woman’s  uncle who is in the hospital but they are unable to reach him with medicine because of the crisis situation. Pray for the church to stand as a strong witness in this crisis and for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done in the nation of Madagascar.

For more information and pictures of the crisis, click here.