Madagascar YMCA operations fragile after violence in the capital

18 February 2009

After the series of violence and vandalism that occurred in the capital city during the end of January, Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, came back to normal for a moment.

Economic activities re-started, the YMCA office opened again, and life was gradually coming back to normal. However, anxiety still prevailed and fear and concern haunted the population.  
 
The opposing party, the recently removed mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, called for demonstrations on Saturday February 7, in front of the presidential palace to claim for a non satisfied demand – his call for a transitional government with him at the helm. And then the most dreadful happened. The protestors were trespassing a ‘red zone’ where no-one was admitted without prior authorisation, and the presidential guards fired at the population. As a result, about 50 lost their lives and hundreds were injured. Carnage, butchery… many such words can be used to name what followed.
 
What was to follow still reflects the shadow of this fear and of trauma. The following day, the city was quiet, as if nothing had happened before. People went to work, children went back to school, stores re-opened and the black market was again blooming. The Defence Minister resigned, the opposition party appointed their Prime Minister to lead the High Authority for Transition as they call it. The church federation and the international community intervened for mediation without much success.

The YMCA’s position is clear: neutrality and mediation. But the most important is to think of how to face such a situation. When we concentrate on the key word of the vision statement – empowerment - and analyse the situation, the YMCA wants to be first of all an active agent for human development. “The situation also called for more in-depth reflection on how to support young people to get out of extreme poverty, and to no longer be objects of manipulation but responsible citizens, as we dream of,” said Jose Rambinintsoa, Chair of the YMCA Madagascar board.  
 
“Along this line, the YMCA is still running its activities. Our baseline study for our vocational training project will be adapted to take into account the impact of the crisis. Nonetheless, the YMCA has had to suspend its awareness sessions and conferences planned in the framework of the vocational training project, in order to avoid the political interpretations.

“The school canteen will continue to function, given that the inflation, exacerbated by the crisis, doesn't allow parents to attend to the needs of their families. On top of this, the calendars of activities will be somewhat modified.”
 
Both Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana have released statements deploring the violence and both have declared committed to negotiations, despite initially denouncing this option. The people of Madagascar wait and see…

By Lantonirina Rakotomalala, Madagascar YMCA National General Secretary (February 12 2009)
Source: Africa Alliance of YMCAs (www.africaymca.org)

Read more here: Madagascar YMCA closes due to violence in capital city