Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) – The military rebellion carried out by a group of officials that had locked themselves in barracks located on the outskirts of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar (see Fides 18/11/2010), has ended in bloodshed.
“Those who witnessed the attack said that the soldiers shot up into the air. Perhaps it was an operation that had somehow been agreed upon,” Fides was told by Fr. Luca Treglia, Director of Radio Don Bosco, whose headquarters are located at about 150 meters from the barracks holding the rebel soldiers.
“We went to the entrance of the barracks and asked if there were any wounded in need of religious assistance, but they told us that everything was fine and that there were no wounded,” the priest said.
On November 17, the coup leaders led by Generals Raoelina and Rakotonandrasana and Colonels Charles Andrianasoavina and Coutity Assolant were holding out on the naval air base located near the international airport, claiming to have overthrown the regime of Andry Rajoelina, President of the Transition Authority after Head of State Marc Ravalomanana's removal from office in March 2009. The rebels had hoped that they could convince the rest of the military to join their side and effectively overthrow the administration of the Transition Authority, however the Armed Forces remained faithful to Rajoelina.
The authorities have also announced that they have postponed the elections scheduled for December 20, after they were met with protest among various local representatives. “No new date for local elections has been fixed, but they will probably take place in April, because the rainy season has begun now and this factor makes the organization of elections more difficult, especially in the countryside,” says Fr. Luca.
They are still counting the votes from the constitutional referendum from November 17. According to the local press, 75% of the votes have been counted. The “yes” vote on the referendum leads the way with 71.6% of the vote. Only 50.9% of eligible voters participated. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 22/11/2010)
