Here we go...

Here we go again...

https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/03/ilmenite-de-ranobe-manifestation.html

ILMENITE OF RANOBE - Controversial demonstration against Base ToliaraMadagascar Express-Published on March 21, 20245950Photos taken by local sources show vehicles carrying protesters.While the State had suggested a possible imminent reopening of Base Toliara, personalities are organizing demonstrations to demand the opposite. Would the capital of Atsimo-Andrefana end up having its big mining project one day? While the Minister of Mines, Herindrainy Rakotomalala, had mentioned progress in discussions on the reopening of Base Toliara, now personalities are trying to make dissenting voices heard by provoking a gathering in Ankilimalinike in the Toliara II district. A controversial demonstration as several associations and local officials continue to proclaim the vital importance of resuming the project for the economy and the inhabitants of the entire region. According to reports, individuals were transported by trucks from Morombe, Angarazy and Ambahikily in Morombe district. Another part of the demonstrators comes from Ankililoaka, Tsianisiha, Belalanda, Toliara and Ankilimalinike. The latter want to reject the negotiations on the restart of the Base Toliara project announced recently. “There were around a thousand demonstrators from these various communities, or around one thousand two hundred.” Fierce opponents of the Base Toliara project are cited as the leaders of the organization of the demonstration and were present on the scene. Swollen“Ankilimalinike was chosen by the organizers of the demonstration because from the fokontany of Benetse, opposition to the Base Toliara project was born a few years ago,” explains the mayor of Ankilimalinike, Longin Mahatoro.The latter, on the other hand, is a defender of the Ranobe mining project. “The commune that I manage, home to nearly thirty thousand souls, has always been in favor of the project, despite the presence of opponents. We need economic activities to boost Ankilimalinike,” adds the mayor.Other sources report that the objects of the invitation to the meeting also lend themselves to amalgamation and confusion because “they were promised financial compensation and allowances from the Ministry of Population and Solidarity”. On social media, the actual number of demonstrators is also the subject of speculation. But given that no member of the local press was informed of the meeting, it is difficult to confirm or deny the credibility of the figure put forward which would be twenty thousand, a number that even the Maître Kira stadium could not not welcome. In addition to Base Toliara, speeches against the distribution of land in Bas Mangoky were also said to have been made on this occasion. Madagascar Express