The Rumor Mill

Remember the TV show ‘FACT or FICTION’ with that guy who played ‘No. 2’ from Star Trak as the host. …need I say more…..hah, enjoy!

I’m still safe, but my future here isn’t clear. Here are some news articles on what has been going on here.

http://english.china.com/zh_cn/news/international/11020308/20090207/15313669.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090208/wl_afp/madagascarpolitics_20090208210806

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/08/madagascar.violence/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Fact or Fiction?

Why doesn’t Marc Ravalomanana have Andry Rajoelina killed or even arrested?
Good question…People say its because they are ‘related.’ Apparently Andry had a relationship with Marc’s daughter—in fact they have a child together, which means the Marc is the grandfather of Andry’s child. Andry’s been trying to gain acceptance/approval from his much wealthier and successful Father-in-law ever since (Andry was a poor no-body when he fell ‘in-love’ with Marc’s daughter—explains his determination). Friends here believe this story to be…FACT.

‘’Look how thin the President looks!’’
We heard this said last night when the President (Marc. R.) was giving a speech addressing the public about the now 28 dead and hundreds reported wounded. In fact, people have been saying that the President isn’t the President (i.e. the ‘real’ Marc R.). Marc R. is well educated and no idiot—after all he did build a national multi-million dollar dairy corporation, which he started by selling yogurt from a cart on the streets of Tana. The current Marc R. is actually his less successful younger brother, who secretly had the old Marc. R. assassinated and has taken over the role of President. Marc. R.’s younger brother did run in the Mayoral Race against Andry back in 2007 and he is still bitter about the loss—contributing to the explanation for the current situation the country finds itself in. Friends here aren’t sure about this one and are a little hesitant about claiming it to be true…….FICTION.

Stirring-up the Ethnic Pot
Andry Rajoelina appointed 43-year-old Zafitsimivalo Monja Roindefo, the son of a well-known Madagascan nationalist Monja Jaona, as prime minister of the transitional government on Saturday. Monja Roindefo and his father are Antondroy (a southern ethnic group) that represents some of the poorest people in Madagascar. The region is currently suffering from a draught—thus, poor and hungry. Peace Corps Volunteers who live in the area have been told by friends that they consider the shootings personal (because Monja Roindefo was involved). It’s not clear what any of this means or what the implications will be. Today (Monday) is a meeting in Abovembe—a Antondroy regional hub…this one is….FACT

My situation….I was told in a cryptic Peace Corps text message sent yesterday that our future here is ‘cloudier than ever’ and that they are doing further consolidations (not sure what this means—maybe moving people closer to airports??) It seems our 'waiting game' has just been extended, which only dampens our moods and adds to our frustrations.

I feel for these people—they are frustrated and have no voice. What little voice they had—through peaceful demonstrations, have now turned violent and 28 people are now dead.

God, things are definately ‘cloudy.’