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I though an update on Madagascar state of
affairs was in order as it has effect geckos on shipments, quotas,
and smuggling, and those traveling there in search of geckos.
Certainly the below article demonstrates that travel there would not be
easy.
Leann
| MARCH 19, 19:37 ET
Strike Ends in
Madagascar
By MIKE COHEN
Associated Press Writer
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Workers
striking to force Madagascar's president to step down after a disputed
election returned to work Tuesday as the opposition said the two-month
strike was no longer needed.
The island nation, off the southeast
coast of Africa, has been in political chaos and economic limbo since the
Dec. 16 elections ended without a winner.
The official results
showed neither President Didier Ratsiraka nor opposition leader Marc
Ravalomanana won an outright majority and that there should be a runoff.
But Ravalomanana claimed the government rigged the vote
and that he won more than 50 percent. He declared himself president and
has led mass protests and the general strike in a bid to force Ratsiraka
to step down.
The opposition on Tuesday said the strike action was
no longer necessary because they had full control over the capital.
Ravalomanana has seized control of the capital Antananarivo and
installed his alternative ministers in almost all government offices while
Ratsiraka has set up an alternative capital in the eastern port city of
Toamasina.
There is widespread uncertainty over who is really in
control of the country and where the military's loyalty lies.
Gas stations have run dry and fuel is only available on
the black market at quadruple the normal price.
Many factories
have also ground to a standstill.
On the outskirts of the city,
local council officials loyal to Ravalomanana erected barricades, dragging
oil drums and planks embedded with rusty nails across the road. They are
only letting vehicles pass once they have been searched.
``We are
looking for guns and gasoline,'' said Rasolo Mananama, 40, who oversaw a
group of six youths manning the checkpoint.
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