05:00
FAMILY PLANNING
On the occasion of the launch of the flagship report of the UNFPA on the State of the World Population 2024 for the Indian Ocean islands, particularly Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles, yesterday July 11, 2024, President Andry Rajoelina announced the implementation of a family planning program accessible to all, with a target contraceptive prevalence of 5.1 million by 2028. The Malagasy Head of State also emphasized the importance of investing in women for a prosperous future. He specifically highlighted that investing in a woman is investing in the future.
06:00
MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES
The Urban Commune of Antananarivo is opening two new municipal libraries in Antohomadinika IIIG Hangar and Andohatapenaka II. “These infrastructures will allow residents to enrich their knowledge through the catalogs of books made available to them. In addition to reading activities, the libraries can also host cultural, artistic, and community workshops in collaboration with the Fokontany and the library’s co-managing associations,” say the officials of CUA.
08:00
OPINION
While most IRMAR members of parliament were surpassed by opposing or independent deputies in the provincial capital in the legislative elections, the deputy of Toamasina I believes that the opposition should have presented candidates for the positions of vice-president of the National Assembly representing each province. The elected representative of Toamasina I finds it suspicious that more than 70 non-IRMAR deputies voted for the unique candidates presented by IRMAR for these positions. He mentions betrayal towards the population and suspects promises of gifts. It should be noted that Deputy Roland Ratsiraka himself did not run for any position within the permanent office of the National Assembly.
09:00
FUEL LOURD-JIRAMA
While Jirama announces the arrival of tanker trucks transporting heavy fuel oil from Toamasina for the operation of thermal power plants, it also indicates that the volume of heavy fuel oil discharged does not meet all the needs, due to the insufficient number of trucks. As a result, rotational load shedding will persist, particularly on the interconnected network of Antananarivo. “The relevant authorities are negotiating tirelessly with transporters to mobilize more fleets to accelerate transportation, and this is to restore electricity production and distribution to normal,” assures Jirama.
07:00
WEEKEND WEATHER
The weather will continue to be influenced by locally moderate trade winds this weekend. Minimum temperatures will generally rise over most of the island. However, maximum temperatures will remain nearly unchanged.
11:00
ISABELLE DELATTRE
“During my two-year term, I have endeavored to strengthen the ties between the European Union and Madagascar, support the country’s development, and defend the universal values that are the foundation of European construction and are at the heart of its commitment to the world,” said Isabelle Delattre, Ambassador of the European Union. Before permanently leaving Madagascar, she thanked the partners and friends of Madagascar who accompanied her on her mission and wished the best for the country. Unless there are any changes, Isabelle Delattre, whose mandate ended prematurely amid diplomatic tensions, will be replaced by Roland Kobia, currently the European Union Ambassador to Ethiopia.
11:30
FUTURE PM
The IRMAR platform, which obtained 84 seats out of the 163 in the National Assembly, will be received this Friday in the early evening at the Iavoloha Palace by the President of the Republic. In accordance with Article 54 of the Constitution, they will submit a proposal of 3 names for the future occupant of Mahazoarivo to President Rajoelina. The President will appoint the new Prime Minister based on this proposal.
12:00
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Madagascar remains for the third consecutive year on the Tier 2 Watchlist of the United States Department for human trafficking. Madagascar is thus among the countries that do not fully meet the minimum standards of the TVPA (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) for eliminating trafficking, but makes considerable efforts to achieve it. For Madagascar, these efforts are particularly focused on technical level. To have a lasting impact on the fight against human trafficking, a coordinated commitment from the entire government, led at the highest level, is necessary, according to the United States Embassy in Madagascar. “The United States remains committed to partnering with the Malagasy government in the fight against human trafficking within and beyond its borders,” it stated.
13:00
HCC
The High Constitutional Court (HCC) recently ruled that Madagascar’s accession to the revised Georgetown Agreement and the ratification of the Malabo Convention on cybersecurity and the protection of personal data are in line with the Constitution, following a referral from the President of the Republic. The revised Georgetown Agreement, approved in December 2019 and signed in June 2021, provides the framework for action of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to address development challenges in various fields. The Malabo Convention, on the other hand, aims to establish an African legal framework on cybersecurity and the protection of personal data by defining the commitments of African Union member states at different levels.
14:00
JALCC
Transparency International – Initiative Madagascar (TI-MG) marked the African Anti-Corruption Day (JALCC) on July 11, 2024, by focusing on “Effective Mechanisms for Protecting Whistleblowers: An Essential Tool in the Fight against Corruption.” TI-MG emphasized the importance of adopting laws to protect human rights defenders and whistleblowers, as well as ensuring access to public information. In order to strengthen its advocacy actions, TI-MG organized an exhibition showcasing investigative journalism by the MALINA network and presented booths dedicated to its programs. It also conducted two master classes on media and information literacy and mechanisms for protecting human rights defenders, and screened a documentary on the situation of whistleblowers in the environmental context, followed by a discussion. With the arrival of new members of parliament, TI-MG continues to advocate for the adoption of these bills for democracy and the fight against corruption.
15:00
GRC
The Batsirai and Emnati cyclones have forced 90,219 people to leave their homes in the southeast of Madagascar, according to data collected by the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). The aim of this system is to collect and analyze information on the mobility, vulnerability, and needs of displaced and mobile populations, in order to assist decision-makers and humanitarian partners in optimizing resources and providing more appropriate aid. The National Bureau of Disaster Risk Management and Catastrophe (BNGRC) conducted an investigation using the DTM in 8 districts between July and September 2023. The results revealed that the localities most affected by these two cyclones were Vatovavy, with 43% deterioration, Atsimo Atsinanana, with 38%, and Fitovinany, with 28%.
16:09
PRIME MINISTERIAL
Ntsay Christian succeeds himself. The President of the Republic has decided to reappoint him as Prime Minister. Andry Rajoelina has thus chosen continuity, explaining that the Prime Minister must be a trusted person, with experience in governance and conducting state affairs. With this reappointment, Christian Ntsay breaks the record for longevity as Prime Minister during this fourth Republic. He has indeed held this position since 2018.
17:00
DECENTRALIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The last session of the workshop on the support program of the Ministry of Decentralization and Territorial Planning (MDAT), led by Ginger Sofreco and financially supported by the French Development Agency (AFD), was held at the Grand Melis Tsaralalana hotel. The objective of this program is to enhance the necessary capacities within the Ministry, urban communities, and communities in order to promote active participation at all levels in managing variability and climate change, as well as mitigating associated risks. In the next three months, the various levels of the MDAT’s regional directorates and services will be the next to benefit from this training.
