Potential Hot Spots: June 7, 2002

Archives

President Marc Ravalomanana claimed complete control of the Madagascan Army when General Bruno Rajaonson (viewed by some as a Ratsiraka loyalist, since Ratsiraka appointed him) handed over the position of army chief of staff to General Sylvain Rawafimandy (a Ravalomanana supporter). A similar transfer of power occurred when a pro-Ravalomanana officer (identified as General Emilson Sambiheviny) took control of the Madagascan gendarmerie. Also on June 7, pro-Ravalomanana forces reported a firefight near a bridge north of the town of Sambava. There were no reports on casualties. The bridge is on the road to the port of Vohemar (which is still controlled by pro-Ratsiraka forces). Sambava is in Madagascars vanilla growing region and the vanilla bean harvest is about to begin. Ratsirakas troops are still positioned to enforce an economic blockade (which is, at the least, a negotiating chit). Subsequent reports indicate the Ratsiraka forces are using boats to transport troops to reinforce positions north of Sambava. These reports, however, were unconfirmed.

 

Article Archive

Potential Hot Spots: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close