- Changes in Madagascar's continuing political crisis have taken the fashion of traffic lights, while political observers see a possible civil war in the build up.
The country's army Chief of Staff was today sacked and replaced by the alleged choice of the rebelling army units in the Indian Ocean Island.
General Edmond Rasolomahandry, who yesterday gave the country's politicians, a 72 hours ultimatum to find a solution to the political impasse or face the army take-over, has been replaced by a new Chief of General-Staff, Colonel André Ndriarijaona, who was sworn-in today at the headquarters of the General-Staff, bypassing all the ussual protocol channels in such appointments. The president is the one who ussualy does the appointments.
The new changes, which also follows yesterday's resignation by the defense minister, Mamy Solofoniaina Ranaivoniarivo, who was allegedly forced to sign the resignation letter at gun-point, have raised more fears of a total rebellion by the majority of the army units as claimed when the mutiny became clear on Sunday.
Mediation talks have collapsed in Madagascar following the withdrawal of opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina, leaving the country's president, Marc Ravalomanana few choices, especially with the army revolt.
Political tensions have been high in the Island for the past six weeks, with mounting anti-government protests and clashes that have so far claimed more than 100 lives.
President Ravalomanana has insisted he is the legitimate leader of the country until his mandate ends in 2012, despite calls by opposition for him to step down, being accused of running the affairs of the country like his personal business.
The United Nations envoy together with other regional bodies as well as the local civil society, including the heads of churches have been working tirelessly to revamp peace talks that seem to have reached a dead end.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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