Antsirabe: the national Day, a pretext to subdue the pro-Ravalomanana movement

For two weeks, Marc Ravalomanana’s supporters have been refused the authorization to organize public gatherings in the city of Antsirabe, Madagascar’s second city, 170 km to the south of the capital.  

The new chief of the Vakinankaratra region appointed by the High Authority of the Transition, Paul Razanakolona, reported that because of the preparations of the national feast of June 26, all political demonstration is forbidden. The defenders of legality are somewhat stunned by the decision since their demonstration has already been repressed by the local polices for several days.  

For the chief of region, Marc Ravalomanana’s supporters didn’t respect their agreement established with the local authorities. In response, their gathering has been forbidden. “They are supposed to gather on the Karmaly place, but when they succeeded in having more audience, the demonstrators decided to descend in the street whereas it was not agreed “, explained Paul Razanakolona. 

As far as they are concerned, the defenders of legality denounce the prohibition of demonstration enacted by the Region, and fustigate the local authorities following the violent repressions against the exiled president’s supporters. They currently ask for more liberty, and continue to militate for the return power of Marc Ravalomanana.   

In Antananarivo, the city of Antsirabe is the second locality of the country that vigorously reacted against Andry Rajoelina’s coup of last March. The public gatherings have been an impressive crowd that visibly begins to disturb the local representatives of the HAT.