Madagascar unrest topples tourism

Political instability has severely damaged a main economic source for the island country.

madagascar

Madagascar’s political instability over the last two years has severely damaged the country’s once flourishing tourism industry, which is a main economic source for the tropical island off the southeastern coast of Africa.

Many tourists and foreign investors were scared off by the 2009 coup in which Andry Rajoelina, the opposition leader, dissolved the government and declared himself a transitional president of the country.

But Rajoelina also faced a coup attempt that ended last Saturday after the military stormed the revolters’ barracks, which has further undermined Madagsacar’s image abroad.

It came shortly before voters on Monday overwhelmingly backed a new constitution that allows the current president to run for office.

Tania Page reports from Antananarivo, the capital, on how a sharp drop in tourism has dramatically dented its economy.

Source: Al Jazeera