Madagascar

Government, schools open, despite mayor’s call for workers to stay home

Article published on the 2009-02-02 Latest update 2009-02-02 10:21 TU

Andry Rajoelina addressing a rally in Antananarivo, 31 January 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

Some government ministries and several schools opened Monday, two days after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, declared himself in control of the country, and called for public service workers not to go to work. Schools have been closed for a week following ant-government protests where 68 people have died.

The ministries of Finance, Decentralisation, Transport and Education were open for business Monday, as well as the Justice department, according to the AFP news agency. Several primary and secondary public schools held classes as well.

About a thousand supporters of Rajoelina, wearing orange – the colour of the opposition movement - gathered in a plaza downtown to hear him speak at a rally.

Rajoelina has been nicknamed “Andry TGV” after the French high-speed TGV trains, because of his quick actions against President Marc Ravalomanana. He declared Saturday that he was in charge of the country, and announced his intention to impeach the president.

Ravalomanana said on Saturday that he still runs the country.  

"Here in Madagascar we have a Republic. In the Republic - in the Constitution – it is marked that the President of the Republic is the chief of the nation,” he said, after Rajoelina announced that he had taken over.

“He [Rajoelina] has overstepped the limits,” continued Ravalomanana. “Here in Madagascar we have the rule of law, like in all countries. And we have our constitution… And I, as President, I stay as President of this country. I am doing what is necessary to develop the country.”

Rajoelina will begin a multi-day tour of the country on Wednesday, according to his deputy, Andriamahazo Nirhy-Lanto.