Madagascar Turns Fifty-One

Today is Independence Day for Madagascar. On June 26, 1960, Madagascar gained independence from France. In honor of this birthday, here is what the blog Africa is a Country had to say:

Things could have been better for its citizens. What with being governed by a former radio DJ and its army and with threats that Western governments and aid agencies will withdraw financial support. Anyway, we’re celebrating. For the sake of the Malagasy people.

Here is the link to the celebration, a collection of Malagasy music videos.

I too have been listening to some Malagasy jams (and will continue posting some videos each Friday). But to me, Madagascar's Independence Day is a major reminder of the on-going political stalemate. Or, the not-going political stalemate. It has been over two years since Marc Ravalomanana sought refuge in South Africa (under threat from the military) and Andry Rajoelina assumed the presidency. Since that time, there have been numerous international agreements signed and ignored, various governments formed and dissolved, numerous peaceful protests by opposition groups, limited open fighting amongst the military, an attempted military coup d'etat (thwarted, it is rumored, by a large payoff to the officers attempting the coup), and a referendum on a new constitution (passed, although opposition groups boycotted the proceedings). Now Madagascar is (more or less) following another roadmap created by international envoy Leonard Simao. In theory, this roadmap would allow for a reconciliation of all parties and parliamentary/presidential elections within a year, while allowing the current government to remain in place (there was a need to have a consensus government, so President Rajoelina had his appointed Prime Minister, Albert Camille Vital, step down, only to reappoint him a few days later). In reality, it looks like this roadmap is allowing the current government to move forward with its own agenda while ignoring many of the particulars of the agreed upon roadmap. For instance, former President Marc Ravalomanana is still banned from returning, despite the support he has from many African heads of state to return and partake in the reconciliation process. Perhaps this article says it best:

It should be recalled that despite signing several peace accords since 2009 with the country’s ex-presidents Didier Ratsiraka, Marc Ravalomanana and Albert Zafy to bring to an end the political crisis that began in December 2008, Rajoelina has always disowned them immediately after signing and he has continued to govern the country alone.

So while the politicians continue to argue and delay, what are the affects on the average person? Here is what the Guardian had to say earlier this month:

Unicef country representative Bruno Maes said the international community must rethink its aid sanctions and stop punishing the poorest people of Madagascar for the sins of the political elite. ''In the health sector alone the government managed to disburse only two dollars per capita in 2009, against eight dollars in 2008. The trend is the same in education. The pressure on families has become unbearable,'' he said.

As usual, the people suffer while the "leaders" struggle. There has been two pieces of pretty good news lately though. First, the World Bank approved a $52 million loan to bolster conservation efforts. In particular, the money will be directed at the national park system, which has seen massive deforestation by illegal loggers. (Note: some claim that President Rajoelina has direct links to the illegal loggers). This loan will hopefully help the parks service, but their are still a few questions, like: The World Bank says they are still not dealing with the (internationally unrecognized) transtional government of Andry Rajoelina. The Bloomberg article says, "The funding will be channeled through independent organizations such as Madagascar National Parks and not through the government, the World Bank said." This would be great, except that Madagascar National Parks is not independent at all; on the contrary, it is the government's parks agency! So if the government will be very much in charge of this funding, will they be able to redirect it to other purposes? The other questions arises from the issue of loaning money to a transitional government: who will repay the loan? Often times people think of the World Bank as making "donations" or expect that loans will be written off sometime in the future, but this money is in reality a loan made to Madagascar. Will the future (hopefully consensus, legitimate, and recognized) government be saddled with this debt?

The other good news I mentioned? Well, it is a bit more tongue-in-cheek, but it arises from a recent Economist Baobab post that says:

RULING parties in Africa often have to answer as much to their donors as their citizens. A recent paper suggests that the government in Somaliland has become more accountable to its citizens because of the lack of aid.

 Now, in Madagascar's case the lack of aid has not created a more accountable government. But it is interesting that the opportunity may be there to do so. We cannot actually take too much from this study, as the post continues to say:

Somaliland's experiences cannot be applied directly elsewhere. But it offers some lessons. The resource constraints which led to a more inclusive government gave each clan a stake in maintaining stability. It is impossible to judge whether this outweighs the benefits that aid might have brought, but it should give donors pause for thought when they start splashing cash around. 

But it sure is interesting nonetheless!
(Special thanks to my friend Ryan Marsh for sharing a lot of these links)

Finally, on a more fun (and patriotic Malagasy) note, here is a video of the primary school in my old village, Antanandava, singing the Malagasy National Anthem:

and the translation of the anthem:

O, our beloved fatherland,
O, fair Madagascar,
Our love will never decay,
But will last eternally.

CHORUS:
O, Lord Creator, do Thou bless
This Island of our Fathers,
That she may be happy and prosperous
For our own satisfaction.

O, our beloved fatherland,
Let us be thy servant
With body, heart and spirit
In dear and worthy service.

CHORUS

O, our beloved fatherland,
May God bless thee,
That created all lands;
In order He maintains thee.

CHORUS

Mazatoa fetybe e! And Enjoy the celebrations!