Too bad for Madagascar's future

The worse is looming for Madagscar's future after this coup. Stability is at stake since anybody able to corrupt army and pay militia will be able to seize power. MAdagscar economy was just recovering from 2002 crisis when the coup took place. The main difference is this time, the global situation will not permit a rapid recovery as in 2002.

Fallen in the same pit!

Oh you said Ravalomanana, I think him and those who follow him have made a grave mistake! you said try to put Madagascar in the contemporary world, Of course not. All principles and deeds are increasingly authoritarian, did not consult people when changing some important articles in the constitution= taking people's right. Putting in Jail those who have different ideas from his. alienating many parties that he thought against him = could not bear freedom of presses. and every bad things.

Political Context

First of all, it has to be mentioned that the French government is behind the coup. As the ousted president was inclined to the US and away from the French influence, France must have played some roles here. Most of all, it is so disappointing that such a inexperienced guy as Andry Rajoelina was able to grab the power. It is a tragedy to M/car people. Andry (the young former DJ-turned President) is just a scam, a high school drop-out. , with the personality. He will soon fall off.

this is sad!

it's sad to see how people are, and become barbarians just for the power, and money. to govern the country. it's sad to see people killing others for just no reason but the hate of one person. it's just sad to see all this. and in nowadays society, how on earth can you be so not cultivated as being a mayor of a city, to take a country in hostage. but not chosen by the population. just can call him coward., c'est un lache de prendre controle du pays de cette maniere.

Rajoelina is here just because of Ratsiraka

Ratsiraka, the last president before Marc Ravalomanana have problem with french population. France would expulse it and his band and help Rajoelina to find all things to do terrorism in all Madagascar and after Ratsiraka come back to madagascar and destroy all things that Ravalomanana has done.

Well done.

Well done to Mark, his fixer, and to the team in Australia. I'm currently going through a bout of dengue fever, and all but forgot about my symptoms in the time spent watching this report. It is among the most intimate, compelling, and informed I've seen, and is certainly something for a young journalist to strive towards.

Good Narrative - Lacks Analisis

Diary of a Coup would have benefitted from an informed historical analysis. Madagascar is a very poor nation that suffered under the French rule and still has a small French community in control of much of the economy. President Ravalomana - despite his mistakes - has tried to place Madagascar in the contemporary world politically and economically closer to Africa (SADC and AU) and more independent from "la francophonie". The coup is basically an effort to reverse those popular policies.

How long will it take the new President to become corrupt? Would make an interesting follow-up!

What a wonderful job you've done Mark. Congratulations for not shying away from danger! I bet you counted your blessings for having such a determined fixer. I found the story compelling and complete. What a stroke of luck with the promptness of the coup, as you said it was a 'text book coup' and went as relatively smoothly as a coup could go I guess. No doubt there is another gold Walkley in it for you Mark, you deserve it. I have visited Antananarivo and found it to be the poorest city ever.