Following the Head of State's lead, Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison has linked the wave of alleged kidnappings and murders to a political destabilization attempt. In a declaration yesterday, he issued an ultimatum against those he says want to block the reform process.

It is a war, said Rajaonarison yesterday at the State Palace in Mahazoarivo, speaking on the current security situation. With a martial tone and grave expression, the former senior Gendarmerie officer made his statement.

"It breaks my heart to see our children killed this way. As Prime Minister, I cannot tolerate harm to Malagasy lives, because I am Malagasy," he declared. However, beyond the emotion, his response is political. Without ambiguity, the government chief linked the wave of disappearances and bodies discovered in recent days to an attempt to destabilize power and slow the reform process.

Facing the situation, the former military officer adopted a war leader's stance and issued an ultimatum to those he says want to block reform. "Measures are already in place. However, this is war. Whatever those hiding behind these murders to destabilize this ongoing reform, I will show no tolerance and I am ready to fight," he declared.

In recent days, missing person reports, including adolescents, have multiplied. Yesterday alone, thirteen disappearances were reported in Antananarivo. Some have been found dead and mutilated.

"In living memory, nothing like this has ever happened in Madagascar," said the Mahazoarivo resident