Madagascar: Celebrations Awaiting the President's Speech

Title: Madagascar: Celebrations Awaiting the President's Speech

Content: The announcement of a speech by Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina, scheduled for Monday evening, has sparked hopes of resignation among the thousands of protesters gathered in Antananarivo, who have been free to march since military units joined them on Saturday.

During the weekend, Andry Rajoelina condemned "an illegal power takeover attempt currently underway" on this particularly impoverished island in the Indian Ocean, where part of the army has sided with a protest movement that emerged on September 25.

A military unit, Capsat, which played a major role in Rajoelina's 2009 coup following a popular mobilization, called on security forces on Saturday to "refuse to shoot" at demonstrators, before joining them in the center of the Malagasy capital.

"It feels strange, given that we were used to being chased and bombarded with tear gas," said Finaritra Manitra Andrianamelasoa, a 24-year-old law student among the thousands of protesters who gathered Monday at the May 13 square in a festive atmosphere, in front of Antananarivo's city hall.

Marching to the rhythm of a brass band, the procession grew as it approached this symbolic site in Malagasy political history, named in tribute to those killed in a popular uprising in 1972 that led to the ousting of the first president.

The current head of state is expected to address the nation at 19:00 (16:00 GMT), according to a statement released by his office on Monday.

The president's location remains unknown. Elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023 during an election boycotted by the opposition, he has been rumored to have fled. However, his office insists he has remained on the island to manage current affairs.

"We are already waiting for him to apologize to all Malagasy people because there have been many injuries. (...) Initially, we were asking for electricity and freedom of expression, but now we are waiting for his resignation," asserted Steven Mandimbiarivong Rasolonjanahary, a 19-year-old law student.

• "No more dinosaurs" -

"We are waiting for his resignation, but knowing him, I don't believe he will say that," predicts Rotsinasandratra Lucas Hantamalala, a 20-year-old student. "No more political dinosaurs, please, we have seen enough of them," she urges.

Soldiers accompanied thousands of protesters in the downtown area of the Malagasy capital on Saturday, joining them again on Sunday for a rally in memory of those killed during over two weeks of protests that began on September 25.

The collective behind the protests, called Gen Z, has called for another gathering later on Monday.

What began as a protest against persistent water and electricity outages has since transformed into a broader opposition to President Rajoelina, 51, and his clan.

This weekend, protesters achieved the ousting of the controversial Senate President Richard Ravalomanana, a former gendarmerie commander.

As for the third figure vilified by the streets, businessman and close associate of the head of state Maminiaina Ravatomanga fled to neighboring Mauritius on Sunday morning, as confirmed by the Mauritian government.

Nicknamed "General Bomba" for his generous use of tear gas during the 2009 crisis, Richard Ravalomanana was accused by protesters of being one of the main architects of the crackdown on protests in recent weeks.

At least 22 people were reported killed at the start of the protests, with over a hundred injured, according to a United Nations report.

The head of state denied the "incorrect figures," claiming there were 12 deaths, all "looters and rioters" according to him.

Madagascar, an island with a particularly impoverished population, has a long history of popular uprisings followed by the establishment of military governments.

At least 80% of Madagascar's 32 million inhabitants live on less than 15,000 ariary per day (2.80 euros), below the World Bank's poverty line.