Translate page with Google

Story Publication logo January 20, 2014

Madagascar's Crisis in Pictures

Country:

Madagascar
Authors:
Image by Rijasolo. Madagascar, 2013.
English

Project

Madagascar: When the Aid Dries Up

What happens to an aid-dependent country when the tap suddenly runs dry? Since a 2009 coup...

author #1 image author #2 image
Multiple Authors
READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
SECTIONS
After former president Marc Ravalomanana's ouster in March 2009 in an army-backed coup d'etat, supporters demand his return. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
The destroyed and looted warehouse of a company owned by Ravalomanana. The new government soon nationalized all of Ravalomanana’s businesses. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2008.
The traditional military parade for Independence Day in Antananarivo, the capital. No foreign ambassadors were present for the occasion. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
Andry Rajoelina and his wife, Mialy Rajoelina, during a reception for Independence Day at the Iavoloha Palace. Rajoelina seized power from Ravalomanana in March 2009 following a brief conflict that left over 100 dead. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
Niels Marquardt, US Ambassador to Madagascar. The United States was the first to clearly condemn the coup d'état. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
Graffiti denouncing France's involvement in the political crisis. The French Embassy in Antananarivo sheltered Andry Rajoelina for several days at the start of the crisis when he came under threat of arrest. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
Jean-Pierre Rafaramandimby, 43, was seriously wounded on February 7, 2009. Twenty-eight people were killed and over 200 wounded when Ravalomanana's presidential guard opened fire on Rajoelina supporters who were advancing towards Ambohitsirohitra Palace. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
Voahirana, 31, holding a photo of her little sister, Tokiniaina, who was 18 when she was killed by a bullet in the head during the February 7, 2009, shooting. She was following Rajoelina supporters marching towards Ambohitsirohitra Presidential Palace. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
Inside the flat of Malala, a 24-year-old sex worker and mother of a 7-year-old boy. She lost her waitressing job in an Antananarivo restaurant that closed following the political crisis. Unable to find work, she turned to prostitution. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
The dairy production area of the food-processing TIKO Company, owned by exiled president Marc Ravalomanana. TIKO terminated activities in 2009 and was nationalized by the Malagasy government. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
A sewing line of the company Cottonline, a subsidiary of SOCOTA, a big textile company in Atsirabe that managed to stay open despite Madagascar’s suspension from tariff exemptions under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the U.S. government in 2009. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Belambo’s gold mines attracted significant foreign investment until 2009, when the political crisis sent the mines’ foreign owners scurrying for the exits. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2009.
Supporters of Ravalomanana gather at Ivato International Airport in anticipation of the former president’s return from exile. When his plane was already en route to Madagascar, it was denied access to Malagasy airspace and was forced to turn back to Johannesburg. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2012.
April 2013 in Antananarivo, (from left to the right) Omer Beriziky, Prime Minister of the transitional government, Andry Rajoelina, President of the transitional government, Madagascar's former president Didier Ratsiraka (1975-1993 and 1997-2002) and former president Albert Zafy (1993-1996) during a national reconciliation conference. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy, journalist and manager of the radio station FREE FM, one of the principal leaders of the opposition to Rajoelina. Rakotondrazafy regularly urged civil disobedience. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Supporters of former president Marc Ravalomanana are dispersed with tear gas. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2012.
The transitional government of Andry Rajoelina faces weeks of protests in the Malagasy capital. Police violently disperse a demonstration using tear gas and firing live ammunition into the air. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2012
Anti-riot police survey protesters against President of Transition Andry Rajoelina's regime. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2012.
Madagascar celebrates its 52nd Independence Day. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2012.
Rajoelina celebrates Independence Day with his wife at Iavoloha Presidential Palace. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2012.
A rally for presidential candidate Lalao Ravalomanana, the wife of ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana, still exiled in South Africa. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Members of the Special Electoral Court (CES) takes an oath in front of the Supreme Court of Madagascar in the presence of Andry Rajoelina. CES will bar Andry Rajoelina, Didier Ratsiraka and Lalao Ravalomanana from running for president. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Malagasy presidential candidate Hery Rajaonarimampianina visits Andavamamba, one of the most impoverished districts of Antananarivo. His candidacy is supported by Rajoelina. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Presidential candidate Jean Louis Robinson at a campaign rally. He is supported by former president Marc Ravalomanana. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013. Madagascar, 2013.
An electoral agent at a polling station in Toamasina, on the eastern coast of Madagascar during the first round of the Malagasy presidential election. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
President Andry Rajoelina greets supporters of his political party (Tanora malaGasy Vonona) at an event to rally support for the party's parliamentary candidates. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Supporters of presidential candidate Robinson Jean Louis cheer at a rally in Antananarivo on the last day of campaigning for the second round of presidential elections. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Supporters of presidential candidate Hery Rajaonarimampianina attend his last rally ahead of the presidential election run-off on December 20. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Voters cast their ballots in the second round of presidential elections. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Election agents count votes at a polling station in the capital. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.
Spectators watch the vote counting at a polling station in Antananarivo. Malagasy hope the election will put an end to years of political turmoil. Image by RIJASOLO / RIVA PRESS. Madagascar, 2013.

In March 2009, a military-backed coup d'état ousted Madagascar's then-president Marc Ravalomanana in favor of Andry Rajoelina, throwing the country into crisis. After repeated delays, the country finally held presidential elections in October 2013 and a run-off in December, which citizens hope will open the door to a long-overdue recovery. In these photographs, French-Malagasy photojournalist Rijasolo chronicles both the political intrigue and profound human costs of the last five years.

RELATED CONTENT

Madagascar's Election: A Nervous Wait

December 31, 2013

Support our work

Your support ensures great journalism and education on underreported and systemic global issues

DONATE