Global Voices Online

A youtube video of a looting scene at a major shopping center in Antanarivo was posted by c17dabossbaby. Many bloggers are wondering why the police forces are seemingly absent during this time of unrest (video) and speculate that the president may be temporarily located in Mahajanga (not overseas as initially reported) as the capital city is still deemed unsafe (fr). Anonymous sources confirm that this would be the current security procedure.

Blogger Pierre Maury is thinking of the Southwest region of Madagascar as Tropical Cyclone Fanele has made land fall at 4:17 am on January 21st 2009 (fr).  The city of Belo-sur-Mer is threatended by gust of wind as fast as 281 km/h.

Two bloggers report photos and proceedings of political meeting in Antananarivo as tension between mayor Andry Rajoelina and  current president Marc Ravalomanana arises over the closing of a national TV station (mg).  Avylavitra posted photos of attendance at the meeting and Jentilisa wrote a comprehensive timeline of the events (mg).

After a series of prison breaks around Madagascar last week, Jentilisa reports that another prison near Toamasina ( East coast of Madagascar) was set on fire today ( Jan 13th) (mg).  Eyewitnesses reported heavy smoke and  5 gun shots. The causes of the fire or the gun shots are still to be determined.