Madagascar tensions

This item appears on page 17 of the September 2009 issue.

The Department of State lifted the Travel Warning for Madagascar on July 7. It had been in place since March due to rising violence and unrest in the country after the military forced the removal of President Ravalomanana and a transitional government headed by Rajoelina was put in power. The four political parties agreed to meet in August 2009 to try to resolve the crisis. 

In mid-July, two people were killed while carrying a homemade bomb, and 20 unexploded bombs were discovered in Antananarivo. Members of the previous government were accused and arrested.