A turbulent week before the holidays with the shutdown of taxi-be services in the capital. The demonstration was initiated, it is said, by drivers and conductors of these urban public transport vehicles. They denounce all manner of abuses by municipal authorities and traffic safety agents in Antananarivo. After protests from users deprived of their usual means of transport and mass demonstrations at the town hall steps, negotiations ultimately prevailed and the demonstration ended peacefully. One noteworthy fact: buses left at Iavoloha and driven by military personnel helped defuse the clashes that threatened more serious unrest. However, the core of the dispute remains unresolved. While there may be excessive zeal on one side, on the other there are clearly repeated violations of the terms of commitments contained in the regulations governing this profession, according to users. Curiously, vehicle owners and license holders remain strangely silent. The world is indeed upside down, as simultaneously, touts and parking merchants at Fasan'ny karana are at the forefront protesting the relocation of this "bus station" to a new, more sanitary location.
The National Assembly Remains Active
Twice recently, deputies have demonstrated their role by removing HCC members and replacing them with unusual speed. Then came this interpellation or realignment of the Executive by socializing the budget further through this corrective Finance Law project. One can only rejoice that they did not resort to their usual need for off-road vehicles.
Dispute Between State and Private Sector
Will there be a divorce between the private sector and the State? "Suspension with immediate effect" - if not a summons for rupture, the smell of sulfur is there. The Groupement des Entreprises de Madagascar (GEM) published a statement announcing the immediate suspension of all dialogue with the State. This decision followed the CNaPS-SMGD affair involving five administrators representing GEM on the Board of the Caisse nationale de prévoyance sociale. Only they face legal proceedings among the 24 board members. GEM denounces "unequal treatment before public charges. It is unacceptable that its representatives alone be sanctioned for an infraction they did not commit and for facts not attributable to them," they insist. Business leaders announce "the suspension of their representatives' participation on the CNaPS Board and all other instances, committees, and governance bodies of state institutions, including all public-private dialogue frameworks." Time will tell.
Will the Bill Be Lighter?
Heavy Oil from Tsimiroro: Madagascar Oil plans to exceed 300 barrels per day before year's end, information that can only make us optimistic. If forecasts prove accurate, we can only hope for an end to power cuts and the pleasure of distinguishing ourselves in the darkness we are accustomed to.
Abroad, Always the Same Refrain
There is still talk of the Iran war, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. When Trump says everything is fine and settled, Iranians reply "speak for yourself."
In the Americas, Africans shine at the Football World Cup. Barea fanatics must be thinking: if we had been there, we would surely have reached at least the final.