Tonight we discuss the roots of the situation in Madagascar and ask what the future holds for this troubled island nation? Joining us will be Stephen Ellis, an expert on the country and author of Madagascar: A short history and Richard Dowden, Director of the Royal African Society. As usual, if you can’t make it to the Club in person, please come and join us online. We’ll be streaming the event on the Frontline Club Events page, in the video pane above and on the Frontline Club live broadcast channel. We start at 7pm GMT/11am PST tonight Mon 27 April.

Widespread refusal to recognise Andry Rajoelina as President of Madagascar and continued support for ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana means the island is likely to remain in turmoil for weeks to come.

The army-backed takeover, which has been condemned as a coup by foreign powers including the United States and the African Union and the Southern African Development Community is not only a blow to the AU but also likely to have reverberations far beyond Madagascar.

Following weeks violence in which more than a hundred people were killed the tourism industry has been crippled and foreign mining and oil investors scared off.
Support for ex-president Marc Ravalonanana is dividing the country’s population and more violence may be on the horizon. link

"We are shocked by the killing of Ando Ratovonirina and extend our condolences to his family and colleagues," said CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, Tom Rhodes. "President Marc Ravalomanana’s government must immediately investigate the shooting by members of the presidential guard and hold those responsible to account." link

Ratovonirina is the first journalist to have been killed since the CPJ started keeping death records in 1992.