Offices on the island are monitoring
the situation
MER AUSTRAL vessels sailing from Durban bound for Madagascar are leaving with full loads of cargo despite the unrest and state of emergency declared on the island, says Darren Lowe, the owner's representative in South Africa.
"We aren't certain of what the future holds, and much will depend on what changes happen in the country. But with two presidents in power, who can say what will happen?" he says.
The state of emergency was declared by president Didier Ratsiraka after opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana declared he had won the December 16 presidential elections, claiming that the government had rigged the voting.
Ravalomanana, mayor of the capital Antananarivo where he enjoys great popularity, immediately set up his own governing authority in the city. But it was then cut off from the rest of the country with roadblocks by local neighbourhood groups following reports that pro-government activists were trying to smuggle weapons into the city.
Ratsiraka, meanwhile, has remained in control of the balance of the nation with the result that a two-month strike has been called which has been observed by civil servants in all centres as well as workers of a number of major companies.
Reports from Madagascar have shown that the situation is nevertheless peaceful and that all ports are open and working with no delays reported, says Lowe.
One factor concerning the shipping line and local exporters is that the banks have had their assets frozen, which could restrict the movement of imported goods in the near future unless lifted soon.
"The whole affair has been going on for the past six weeks, but it hasn't affected our operations to date," he says. "We will keep going as we have done, and our offices on the island are monitoring the situation on a regular basis and keeping us up to date with whatever is happening."
