My area of interest is centered on francophone Africa, the status of minorities and immigrants in Europe & media biases. Raised in Madagascar, I hold a Master of Public Policy from Princeton University at the Woodrow Wilson School of International Affairs with a focus on international development & international relations and PhD in Medical Sciences from Purdue University. I can be found on twitter at twitter.com/lrakoto.
Latest posts by Lova Rakotomalala from April, 2011
Madagascar: Here We Go Again with Land Grabbing, minus the Outrage
Tananews reports that the government of Madagascar leases out land for 50 or more years at prices as low as $15 per acre a year (fr) to Indian farmers (via the IndiaTimes). The blog wonders why such stories fail to stir up the same outrage at the national and international...
Algeria: A Sit-In for Reporter Khaled Sid Mohand, Detained in Syria
A group of journalist, members of the MJIC and a few leaders of the FFS organised a protest in front of the Syrian embassy in Algiers in solidarity with reporter Khaled Sid Mohand currently detained in Syria (fr). The Embassy PR officer stated that the embassy : “.. did not...
Madagascar: Censorship Comes in Different Shapes and Sizes
Blogger Achille52 reviews the state of media and free speech in Madagascar (fr), detailing the different manners in which bloggers are harassed (also explained in an Amnesty International report). He also explains that he deactivated his blog after he was told by a police officer that people are looking for...
Burkina Faso: President Campaoré Flees from Mutiny
Grioo reports that Burkina Faso President Campaoré has fled the Capital City (fr) Ouagadougou under the pressure of mutinous soldiers. The onset of the discontent in the army was reported on April 2nd when a mutiny first broke out.
Côte d'Ivoire: State Television RTI Possibly Broadcasting from a Mobile Truck
As Julie Owono explained, the battle over the control of Ivorian media is difficult to sort out. A report from Reporters sans Frontières suggests that RTI might be broadcasting from a mobile truck stationed in a private home (fr).
Burkina Faso: Mutinous Soldiers Ransack Mayor and Minister's Home
Grioo reports that the homes of the Chief of the army, the minister of interior and the mayor of Ouagadougou were pillaged by soldiers(fr) outraged at the condemnation of one of their own after the death of student Justin Zongo. The opposition is asking for Campaore to resign (fr) and Air France has...
