· November, 2012

Stories about Madagascar from November, 2012

Legal Framework in Madagascar Not Adequate for Size of New Gold Mines

  26 November 2012

Total Bemolanga Watch reports that [fr] awyers in Madagascar estimated that the legal framework of the mining code was not conceived to apply to the shear size of the new gold mining exploitations [mg] that have been developping in Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar. The World Bank and the IMF have just implemented a new fund...

What is the Role of the Army in Africa Today?

  16 November 2012

The army has often played a determining but ambiguous role in the African political process. Between 1950 and 2000, 53 African countries were subject to military coups leading to regime change. After a period of respite in the 1990’s, the African continent was once again the scene of many military coups in the first decade of the 21st century, with 27 attempts at takeover. Being both a factor in the consolidation and the destabilisation of regimes, the army is regarded with suspicion in most countries and does not seem to know how to adapt to changing mindsets.

French Government Eases Strict Immigration Policy

  12 November 2012

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls, during a speech in Toulouse in southwestern France, expressed his desire to change his country's immigration policy, amending the naturalization requirements and, in particular, doing away with the multiple choice tests and the need to have signed a permanent employment contract. Here is a summary of the reactions to these new measures.

A New Start for Barack Obama in Africa?

  7 November 2012

Following the November 6, 2012, re-election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, Africa questions his legacy after four years in charge of an America more concerned with the economic crisis than by its international relations, especially those within the African continent. The expectations of Africans were high, however many believe that a second term for Obama will allow him greater manouevrability on African issues.

Banks Shut Down to Protest Insecurity in Madagascar

  6 November 2012

Bill on Madagascar Tribune reports that [fr] banks will close for one afternoon on November 6 to protest the lack of security in Madagascar. Last week, a branch of Accès Banque was robbed of 502 millions Ariary in the borough of Andraharo, Antananarivo (The capital city of Madagascar).

Madagascar: Tear Bomb Thrown into a University Classroom

  1 November 2012

Madonline reports [fr] that a tear bomb was thrown by military forces into a classroom of Ankatso University where students are protesting [fr] the delay in the disbursement of their scholarships.  The same protests are currently happening at the University of Toamasina (East Coast of Madagascar).