Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO409
2007-04-26 12:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:  

Coastal City Boils Over Electricity Outages

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8013
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHAN #0409 1161240
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 261240Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4700
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0882
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000409 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA
SUBJECT: Coastal City Boils Over Electricity Outages

REF: Antananarivo 362

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000409

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA
SUBJECT: Coastal City Boils Over Electricity Outages

REF: Antananarivo 362


1. (SBU) Public discontent over electricity outages boiled over
April 26 as thousands of protestors set fire to a public building in
the southern coastal city of Tulear. According to sources in the
gendarmerie, members of the mob also kidnapped the regional director
of the Penitentiary Administration. Seven rioters have already been
arrested. Police contacts fear the situation will worsen as long as
JIRAMA (the electric utility) fails to turn the lights back on.


2. (SBU) Embassy security contacts suggest public frustration about
the black-out is likely being fanned by opportunistic opposition
leaders. Already trying to stir up trouble after the arrest of
Roland Ratsiraka (reftel),Tulear-native Jean Lahiniriko could be
encouraging the protestors. The other coastal opposition
strongholds of Tamatave and Diego Suarez are quiet after some
disruptions earlier in the week.


3. (SBU) COMMENT: As evidenced in the last election, Malagasy
opposition leaders typically have neither the resources nor the
inspiration to rally large numbers of supporters. The coincidence
of power outages and Ratsiraka's arrest provide backing to the
politicians claims that the highland President Ravalomanana neglects
coastal areas. Historical cleavages between plateau "Merina" and
coastal Malagasy will continue to be exploited by the opposition if
Ravalomanana is not more tactful; starting with finding a way to
restore electricity to coastal cities. END COMMENT.

MCGEE