1/28/09 - Civil unrest broke out Monday in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, stemming from tensions between the city's mayor and the country's president.

Tuesday two people were shot and killed protesting the closure of the mayor's TV network. Today a large, peaceful demonstration gathered in Antananarivo to demand the resignation of the current president. Reports vary as to the size of the rally, citing figures between 10,000 and 40,000 people.

"The death toll stands at 43, mostly people killed in the first 2 days of rioting and looting," writes AIM's Southern regional leader Dudley Pate.  "Disturbances have been reported as far south as the city of Tuliar although the epicentre of the crisis is still the capital city."

"We are in close contact with our unit leader, who is coordinating the unit’s response to the crisis," says Pate.

"There is apparently a deep vein of popular discontent with the government and President Ravalomanana in particular. Pray for peace and justice to prevail in this poverty-stricken nation which can ill afford this instability and the widespread destruction that is taking place. Pray for evil to be restrained."

Please pray for the Malagasi people, that the Lord will give them wisdom in how they respond to events around them and that He will keep them safe. Pray too for our missionaries.

All AIM personnel have been reminded of contingency plans and are taking steps to ensure their safety and provision throughout this crisis. AIM is monitoring the situation closely.

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