Social tensions are running high these days due to insecurity that seems to prevail in both major cities and rural areas. In "ordinary times," in regions far from urban centers, people mainly speak of "dahalo" – bandits who devastate villages to steal cattle herds and don't hesitate to eliminate individuals based on their plunder. Then these brigands emerge from forests to attack main roads, becoming highway robbers who target Taxi-brousse vehicles to rob passengers. But recently, the scourge of insecurity has spread to major cities and has not spared the capital. It takes the form of kidnappings, abductions followed by torture and murder. Rumors, then confirmations through verified facts, have led to collective panic. With social networks as a vector – which almost everyone frequents – the phenomenon shifts from the social sphere to the political one, which the Head of State intends to resolve.
But as everyone suspects, these collective psychosis phenomena are present during moments of political uncertainty, and recent information is not likely to calm the socio-political climate. "The country faces acts of terrorism," according to Colonel Michaël Randrianirina. Facing these acts he qualifies as "diabolical," Colonel Michaël Randrianirina launched a vibrant appeal for national solidarity, unity of hearts, and mutual trust.
Facing the wave of abductions shaking the capital, the president of the Refondation of the Republic evokes "acts of terrorism." The atmosphere is electric at the top of the State. Twenty-four hours after the Prime Minister's forceful media appearance late Tuesday, it was Colonel Michaël Randrianirina's turn, president of the Refondation of the Republic of Madagascar (PRRM), to speak publicly yesterday. It was from Ambatolampy Tsimahafotsy, Tongarivo, and Bongatsara that the president of the Refondation of the Republic chose to express himself to firmly condemn what he considers a threat of a different nature: "acts of terrorism." The colonel cited the frightening figure of 90 disappearances. According to his assessment, the return of 43 of them has been confirmed, while the fate of the remaining 47 remains uncertain. "What is happening now is no longer politics, it is terrorism. Perhaps this is something being shown to the International Community to make them believe Madagascar is a completely unstable country," he hammered home vehemently. To mobilize and raise awareness further, the Presidency has declared July 24 a national day of mourning for victims of these diabolical acts.
Power cuts persist. Blackouts in Diego, Tamatave, and Majunga. Colonel Michaël Randrianirina issues a one-week ultimatum to ENELEC. The tone is firm, even threatening. This company is being singled out for having been paid without fulfilling the essential counterpart. He demands the company resolve this matter within a short and specific timeframe: "I give ENELEC a few days, until the end of this week, to solve the power cut problems in Antsiranana, Tamatave, and Majunga. If the problem is not resolved, you will see."
South African Embassy: Address Change to Alarobia. American visa applications will no longer be processed in Antananarivo, forcing applicants to travel to Johannesburg to complete consular procedures. This new arrangement further complicates access to the United States for Malagasy citizens. Beyond the usual visa application fees, applicants must now bear the cost of international travel, including airfare, accommodation, and expenses in South Africa. In this context, the South African embassy in Madagascar becomes an essential stop for American visa applicants. Since March, the South African diplomatic mission has left its former premises in Ankorondrano to settle in Alarobia, near the Novotel hotel. The Ankorondrano offices have been completely vacated, confirming the embassy's permanent transfer. If you don't see Trump's fingerprints on this, it certainly looks like it.
Curtain falls on World Cup Football. Spain emerges strengthened from this competition, and it is only just given all its team's victories in major tournaments in recent years. Argentina, for its part...