Photographer based in MADAGASCAR

AFP Photo-Reportage

Since 2013, I am a freelancer for AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE (AFP).

A selection of reports - regularly updated - commissioned by the agency. © Rijasolo / AFP PHOTO

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Municipal officers clear the ground which blocks the entrance of a family vault during a funerary tradition called the Famadihana in the village of Ambohijafy, a few kilometres from Antananarivo, on September 23, 2017. During the Famadihana, which can be translated as "turning of the bones", several crypts are opened and people take the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts and rewrap them in fresh cloth, then dance with the corpses in their arms at the pace of traditional Malagasy band's music. The Famadihana is a pillar in the Malagasy ancestor's worship and is celebrated each three, five or seven years.
People dance, sing and play music as they carry the bodies of their ancestors during a funerary tradition called the Famadihana in the village of Ambohijafy, a few kilometres from Antananarivo, on September 23, 2017. During the Famadihana, which can be translated as "turning of the bones", several crypts are opened and people take the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts and rewrap them in fresh cloth, then dance with the corpses in their arms at the pace of traditional Malagasy band's music. The Famadihana is a pillar in the Malagasy ancestor's worship and is celebrated each three, five or seven years.
People carry a body wrapped in a sheet as they take part in a funerary tradition called the Famadihana in the village of Ambohijafy, a few kilometres from Antananarivo, on September 23, 2017. During the Famadihana, which can be translated as "turning of the bones", several crypts are opened and people take the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts and rewrap them in fresh cloth, then dance with the corpses in their arms at the pace of traditional Malagasy band's music. The Famadihana is a pillar in the Malagasy ancestor's worship and is celebrated each three, five or seven years.
People dance and sing as they carry a body wrapped in a sheet, as they take part in a funerary tradition called the Famadihana in the village of Ambohijafy, a few kilometres from Antananarivo, on September 23, 2017. During the Famadihana, which can be translated as "turning of the bones", several crypts are opened and people take the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts and rewrap them in fresh cloth, then dance with the corpses in their arms at the pace of traditional Malagasy band's music. The Famadihana is a pillar in the Malagasy ancestor's worship and is celebrated each three, five or seven years.
Isabel Malala Razafindrakoto carries the wrapped body of her son, who died aged just three years old, as she takes part in a funerary tradition called the Famadihana in the village of Ambohijafy, a few kilometres from Antananarivo, on September 23, 2017. During the Famadihana, which can be translated as "turning of the bones", several crypts are opened and people take the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts and rewrap them in fresh cloth, then dance with the corpses in their arms at the pace of traditional Malagasy band's music. The Famadihana is a pillar in the Malagasy ancestor's worship and is celebrated each three, five or seven years.
People put back a corpse wrapped in a sheet in a crypt, as they take part in a funerary tradition called the Famadihana in the village of Ambohijafy, a few kilometres from Antananarivo, on September 23, 2017. During the Famadihana, which can be translated as "turning of the bones", several crypts are opened and people take the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts and rewrap them in fresh cloth, then dance with the corpses in their arms at the pace of traditional Malagasy band's music. The Famadihana is a pillar in the Malagasy ancestor's worship and is celebrated each three, five or seven years.
A woman and a baby wearing mask to protect themselves against possible infection of plague walk in Antananarivo on October 2, 2017.
Officers from Ministry of Health spread pesticide against carriers of plague such as fleas in a primary school at Andraisoro, a district of the Antananarivo on October 2, 2017.
Doctors and nurses from The Ministry of Health and officers of the Malagasy Red Cross staff a healthcare checkpoint at the "taxi-brousse" station of Ampasapito district in Antananarivo on October 5, 2017, with the mission of informing passengers leaving Antananarivo, and to potentially detect cases suspected of plague.
A young woman (L) gestures as she is examined by a doctors at a healthcare checkpoint at the "taxi-brousse" station of Ampasapito district in Antananarivo on October 5, 2017, with the mission of informing passengers leaving Antananarivo, and to potentially detect cases suspected of plague.
Doctors and nurses from The Ministry of Health and officers of the Malagasy Red Cross staff a healthcare checkpoint at the "taxi-brousse" station of Ampasapito district in Antananarivo on October 5, 2017, with the mission of informing passengers leaving Antananarivo, and to potentially detect cases suspected of plague.
Doctors and nurses from The Ministry of Health and officers of the Malagasy Red Cross staff a healthcare checkpoint at the "taxi-brousse" station of Ampasapito district in Antananarivo on October 5, 2017, with the mission of informing passengers leaving Antananarivo, and to potentially detect cases suspected of plague.
MADAGASCAR-PLAGUE-CLEAN UP
A girl empties a basket of garbage into a full dumpster as Council workers begin to clear garbage during the clean-up of the market of Anosibe in the Anosibe district, one of the most unsalubrious districts of Antananarivo on October 10, 2017. Rats are porters of fleas which spread the bubonic plague and are attracted by garbages and unsalubrity.
MADAGASCAR-PLAGUE-CLEAN UP
MADAGASCAR-PLAGUE-CLEAN UP
Council workers spray disinfectant as they clean-up the market of Anosibe in the Anosibe district, one of the most unsalubrious district of Antananarivo on October 10, 2017.
Marc Ravalomanana, former President of Madagascar, takes part in celebrations for the 15th anniversary of his party Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM) with supporters, despite the ban of the meeting, in downtown of Antananarivo, on July 8, 2017.
Marc Ravalomanana, former President of Madagascar, waves as he celebrates the 15th anniversary of his party Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM) with supporters, despite the ban of the meeting, in downtown of Antananarivo, on July 8, 2017.
Supporters of Madagascar's opposition party Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM) face a police cordon as they take part in a gathering for the party's 15th anniversary, despite a ban on the meeting, in downtown of Antananarivo, on July 8, 2017. The crowd has been dispersed by teargas fire in the afternoon.
Riot police fire tear gas at supporters of Madagascar's opposition party Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM) during a gathering for the party's 15th anniversary, despite a ban on the meeting, in downtown of Antananarivo, on July 8, 2017. The crowd has been dispersed by teargas fire in the afternoon.
Riot police fire tear gas at supporters of Madagascar's opposition party Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM) during a gathering for the party's 15th anniversary, despite a ban on the meeting, in downtown of Antananarivo, on July 8, 2017. The crowd has been dispersed by teargas fire in the afternoon.
A photo taken on June 5, 2017 shows a view of a bridge of the railway linking Antananarivo and Toamasina (Eastern coast) crossing over the reserve of Vohimana located near the Zahamena National Park.
Children take a "selfie" in front of a waterfall in the Vohimana reserve located near the Andasibe National Park on June 5, 2017.
An official local guide, shows a nocturnal frog during a night-time trek in the Vohimana Reserve on June 5, 2017.
People stand beside 20 litre jerrycans waiting to be filled at a public fountain during a period when the public water supply has been cut off, in the Isotry district of Antananarivo, Madagascar on March 17, 2017. As usual, they get up before dawn and, one by one, place their cans in a neat row at the base of the water pump, ready for another long day of waiting and carrying.For the water carriers of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, distributing water is a daily physical struggle that has been worsened by regional drought and climate change..
Malagasy firefighters drive around for emergency calls during tropical cyclone Enawo in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on March 8, 2017. At least four people have been killed by tropical cyclone Enawo in Madagascar, the prime minister said on March 8, 2017, as the storm tracked towards the capital Antananarivo threatening severe flooding.
Some 200 protestors gather during a demonstration in Soamahamanina (70 kilometer from Antananarivo) on September 29, 2016 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. The protesters, native to the region, accuse Chinese mining company Jiuxing of forcing the rental of land and destroying the property and environment.
Some 200 protestors gather during a demonstration in Soamahamanina (70 kilometer from Antananarivo) on September 29, 2016 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. The protesters, native to the region, accuse Chinese mining company Jiuxing of forcing the rental of land and destroying the property and environment.
Police officers clash with protestors during a demonstration in Soamahamanina (70 kilometer from Antananarivo) on September 29, 2016 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. The protesters, native to the region, accuse Chinese mining company Jiuxing of forcing the rental of land and destroying the property and environment.
A police officer takes covers as protestors thrown stones during a demonstration in Soamahamanina (70 kilometer from Antananarivo) on September 29, 2016 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. The protesters, native to the region, accuse Chinese mining company Jiuxing of forcing the rental of land and destroying the property and environment.
Police detain a man after protestors clash with police during a demonstration in Soamahamanina (70 kilometer from Antananarivo) on September 29, 2016 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. The protesters, native to the region, accuse Chinese mining company Jiuxing of forcing the rental of land and destroying the property and environment.
A man holds a banner as police officers clash with protestors during a demonstration in Soamahamanina (70 kilometer from Antananarivo) on September 29, 2016 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. The protesters, native to the region, accuse Chinese mining company Jiuxing of forcing the rental of land and destroying the property and environment.
Men walk past graffiti reading "We don't need Chinese" in Soamahamanina (70 kilometer from Antananarivo) on September 29, 2016 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. Protestors in Soamahamanina demonstrated on September 29 in protest against the presence of the Chinese mining company Jiuxing. The protesters, native to the region, accuse Chinese mining company Jiuxing of forcing the rental of land and destroying the property and environment.
Young single mothers attend a slam course therapy given by the slam-poet Razanadranto Landy Cathia, better known as Caylah, in Antananarivo on July 29, 2016. In Madagascar, where more than a third of women got pregnant before their 20, young mothers often all by themselves find comfort into slam music, that let them put words on their pain and break taboos.
Young single mothers attend a slam course therapy given by the slam-poet Razanadranto Landy Cathia, better known as Caylah, in Antananarivo on July 29, 2016. In Madagascar, where more than a third of women got pregnant before their 20, young mothers often all by themselves find comfort into slam music, that let them put words on their pain and break taboos.
The slam-poet RAZANADRANTO Landy Cathia, 22 years old, better known as CAYLAH (Center), spend time with the kids of the young single mothers recipients of the NGO "Aina - Enfance & Avenir", in Antananarivo on 29th of July 2016.
Vanilla producer 43-year old Patrick Razafiarivo poses with his wife Lalao in their living room on May 26, 2016 in the municipality of Ambomalaza, Sambava, Madagascar. According to an interministerial decree, the collecting of the "green vanilla" (Raw vanilla) must begin on the 20th of June 2016. All collecting of vanilla before this date is considered as illegal. Many producers don't respect this decree and can sell illegaly this raw vanilla about 70 000 Ariary (20 USD) per kilogram. The buyers speculate on this vanilla and can resell it between 300 000 and 600 000 Ariary (93 and 186 USD) to big exporters. The sweet flavours of vanilla are taking on a bitter edge for buyers in Madagascar as prices have almost quadrupled but quality has declined, with experts blaming speculation, money laundering and a poor harvest. Madagascar, producer of 80 percent of the world's vanilla, has seen the spice's price jump from about $60 per kilogramme (2.2 pounds) in 2014 to as much as $220 now. In some local supermarkets, vanilla -- used in everything from ice cream to cakes -- has become so expensive that the pods have been removed from the spice aisle and placed close to the cash registers to deter thieves.
Workers spread "red vanilla" (vanilla which has been treated by a special cooking) in the sun to be dried on May 25, 2016 in the Municipality Bemalamatra, 30 kms from Sambava, Madagascar. According to an interministerial decree, the collecting of the "green vanilla" (Raw vanilla) must begin on the 20th of June 2016. All collecting of vanilla before this date is considered as illegal. Many producers don't respect this decree and can sell illegaly this raw vanilla about 70 000 Ariary (20 USD) per kilogram. The buyers speculate on this vanilla and can resell it between 300 000 and 600 000 Ariary (93 and 186 USD) to big exporters. The sweet flavours of vanilla are taking on a bitter edge for buyers in Madagascar as prices have almost quadrupled but quality has declined, with experts blaming speculation, money laundering and a poor harvest. Madagascar, producer of 80 percent of the world's vanilla, has seen the spice's price jump from about $60 per kilogramme (2.2 pounds) in 2014 to as much as $220 now. In some local supermarkets, vanilla -- used in everything from ice cream to cakes -- has become so expensive that the pods have been removed from the spice aisle and placed close to the cash registers to deter thieves.
Armed guards look after a pile of vanilla in a Vanilla farmer barn on May 25, 2016 in the Municipality Bemalamatra, 30 kms from Sambava, Madagascar. According to an interministerial decree, the collecting of the "green vanilla" (Raw vanilla) must begin on the 20th of June 2016. All collecting of vanilla before this date is considered as illegal. Many producers don't respect this decree and can sell illegaly this raw vanilla about 70 000 Ariary (20 USD) per kilogram. The buyers speculate on this vanilla and can resell it between 300 000 and 600 000 Ariary (93 and 186 USD) to big exporters. The sweet flavours of vanilla are taking on a bitter edge for buyers in Madagascar as prices have almost quadrupled but quality has declined, with experts blaming speculation, money laundering and a poor harvest. Madagascar, producer of 80 percent of the world's vanilla, has seen the spice's price jump from about $60 per kilogramme (2.2 pounds) in 2014 to as much as $220 now. In some local supermarkets, vanilla -- used in everything from ice cream to cakes -- has become so expensive that the pods have been removed from the spice aisle and placed close to the cash registers to deter thieves.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon (C) waves as he arrives to visit a local Malagasy Non Governamental Organization on May 11, 2016 on the outskirts of Antananrivo, Madagascar.
Cocks fight on February 7, 2016 in Imerintsiatosika, 30km from Antananarivo. Cocks fightings are held every sunday in Imerintsiatosika, with cocks coming from Thaïland or La Reunion Island, that are considered better fighters than Madagascar's cocks.
A referee shows to the public a cock winner during a cocks fighting tournament on February, 7, 2016 in Imerintsiatosika, 30km from Antananarivo. Cocks fightings are held every sunday in Imerintsiatosika, with cocks coming from Thaïland or La Reunion Island, that are considered better fighters than Madagascar's cocks.
Former president of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana (L) and his wife Lalao Ravalomanana (R), candidate for mayor of Antananarivo talk to their supporters from their home in Antananarivo on July 31, 2015 while the municipal elections are closed and the official results are promptly expected. Some 1,695 communes went to the polls to elect their mayors and councilors, a test for President Hery Rajaonarimampianina who may see his opponents take the mayor's office in the capital Antananarivo.
Madagascar Police officers show reporters two boxes containing over 200 millions Ariary (Madagascan currency) in cash (66.000 euros, $74.000) after searching the car of a lawmaker following incidents on June 9, 2015 in Antananarivo. Police arrested overnight Lanto Rakotomanga, a lawmaker hostile to Madagascan President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, after searching her car by force to find the cash, triggering an incident that involved some 20 lawmakers.
Malagasy skaters ride their boards through the streets on May 31, 2015 in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Malagasy skaters ride their boards through the streets on May 31, 2015 in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Portrait of young skateboarders in Antananarivo, on 2015, June 31st
Madagascar Parliament marshals tally the votes on the dismissal of the president on May 26, 2015 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Madagascar's parliament voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to dismiss President Hery Rajaonarimanpianina for alleged constitutional violations and general incompetence. The Indian Ocean island's constitutional court will now decide whether the decision to dismiss Rajaonarimanpianina can be enacted. The motion was backed by 121 of the 125 lawmakers who voted, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required.
This picture taken on March 4, 2015 shows a woman checking the weight of her baby at the health center of the village of Imongy, in the Tsihombe district of southern Madagascar. The World Food Program, whose food distribution currently allows 120,000 people to survive, is asking for international aid as an exceptional drought from October 2014 through February 2015 destroyed crops in the region.
This picture taken on March 4, 2015 shows a woman and her two severely malnourished children (16 months and 5 years old) waiting to be treated by a doctor at the health center in the village of Imongy, in the Tsihombe district of southern Madagascar. The World Food Program, whose food distribution currently allows 120,000 people to survive, is asking for international aid as an exceptional drought from October 2014 through February 2015 destroyed crops in the region.
This picture taken on March 4, 2015 shows people waiting for a distribution of bags of rice by World Food Program (WFP) staff in the village of Berano, in the Tsihombe district of southern Madagascar. The WFP rations, which currently allow 120,000 people to survive, are not enough and WFP is asking for international aid as an exceptional drought from October 2014 through February 2015 destroyed crops in the region.
Residents are evacuated on pirogues after the Sisaony river burst and flooded the village of Soavina, a suburb of Antananarivo, after breaking a dam following a night of torrential rain, on February 27, 2015. At least 14 people died in flooding on February 27 in the Madagascan capital Antananarivo after a night of torrential rain caused dams to burst, rescue services said. About 24,000 people were driven from their homes in the floods and several neighbourhoods in the Indian Ocean island nation were being evacuated, the country's emergency management bureau said.
Residents are evacuated on pirogues after the Sisaony river burst and flooded the village of Soavina, a suburb of Antananarivo, after breaking a dam following a night of torrential rain, on February 27, 2015. At least 14 people died in flooding on February 27 in the Madagascan capital Antananarivo after a night of torrential rain caused dams to burst, rescue services said. About 24,000 people were driven from their homes in the floods and several neighbourhoods in the Indian Ocean island nation were being evacuated, the country's emergency management bureau said.
Residents gather at a Control Post after the Sisaony river burst and flooded the village of Soavina, a suburb of Antananarivo, after breaking a dam following a night of torrential rain, on February 27, 2015. At least 14 people died in flooding on February 27 in the Madagascan capital Antananarivo after a night of torrential rain caused dams to burst, rescue services said. About 24,000 people were driven from their homes in the floods and several neighbourhoods in the Indian Ocean island nation were being evacuated, the country's emergency management bureau said.
A police car drives by as supporters of ex-president Marc Ravalomanana demonstrated in the center town of Antananarivo on October 18, 2014 after Ravalomanana was placed under house arrest. Madagascar police Saturday used tear gas to break up a rally by supporters of ex-president Marc Ravalomanana, who was placed under house arrest after returning from exile in South Africa. The former president, who was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment with hard labour, slipped back into Madagascar on October 13, five years after a military coup and two months of violent protests forced him to flee first to Swaziland and then to South Africa.
A protestor shows his fingers which was violently crushed by a concrete slab while he attempted to do a barricade as supporters of ex-president Marc Ravalomanana demonstrated in the center town of Antananarivo on October 18, 2014 after Ravalomanana was placed under house arrest. Madagascar police Saturday used tear gas to break up a rally by supporters of ex-president Marc Ravalomanana, who was placed under house arrest after returning from exile in South Africa. The former president, who was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment with hard labour, slipped back into Madagascar on October 13, five years after a military coup and two months of violent protests forced him to flee first to Swaziland and then to South Africa.
Marc Ravalomanana (L), former president of Madagascar who was in exile in South Africa since 2009, is greeted by supporters while returning to his home in Antananarivo on October 13, 2014.
AA swarm of locusts flies over the center of Mdagascar capitol Antananarivo on August 28, 2014.
AA swarm of locusts flies over the center of Mdagascar capitol Antananarivo on August 28, 2014.
Children look at a prototype of the new Karenjy Mazana II car on road 7 near Fianarantsoa, southern Madagascar on August 5, 2014.
Managing director of the newspaper Madagascar Matin Jean-Luc Rahaga (C) is lifted by supporters after his release from Antanimoro Prison in Antananarivo on July 25, 2014. A justice court in Antananarivo ordered the release of two journalists jailed since Monday for having published a reader's letter accusing members of the Madagascan government of being implicated in illegal rosewood trafficking.
Malagasy Security forces parade during the Malagasy Independence Day celebrationss at Mahamasina Stadium on June 26, 2014 in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
An employee attends the ceremony of the first test sales of Tsimiroro's crude oil, western Madagascar, on June 18, 2014. Tsimiroro is a large deposit of heavy oil exploited by the Madagascar Oil company.
MADAGASCAR, TSIMIRORO - Gendarmes and Madagascar Oil's employees wait for the President of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina during the ceremony of the first test sales of Tsimiroro's crude oil on June 18, 2014. Tsimiroro is a large deposit of heavy oil exploited by Madagascar Oil company, western of Madagascar. PHOTO : RIJASOLO / AFP PHOTO
A Madagascar Oil agent checks facilities on June 18, 2014 at the Tsimiroro plant, in western Madagascar, a large deposit of heavy oil exploited by the Madagascar Oil company.
Members of the technical team of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), wearing masks and gloves, are pictured as they prepare insecticide for a helicopter equipped for pesticide spreading on May 7, 2014 in Tsiroanomandidy, Madagascar. FAO mission is to fight the locust's swarm with an insecticide.
A helicopter of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), equipped with pesticide spreading equipment to fight a swarm of locusts, takes off for his mission on May 7, 2014 in Tsiroanomandidy, Madagascar. FAO mission is to fight the locust's swarm with an insecticide.
A helicopter of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) flies through millions of Locusts as spreads pesticide to fight against a swarm of locusts threatening to reach Amparihibe village on May 7, 2014 in Tsiroanomandidy , Madagascar. FAO mission is to fight the locust's swarm with an insecticide.
Former Madagascar Prime Minister Jean Omer Beriziky (R) and the new Prime Minister Roger Kolo (C) speak to journalists during a handover ceremony at the Mahazoarivo State Palace on April 16, 2014. After months of post-election deadlock Madagascar's president named a new prime minister on April 11, 2014 tapping the relatively unknown doctor Roger Kolo to the post. The announcement came in a statement from president Hery Rajaonarimampianina's office.
The new president of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina (C) and his wife take part in the inaugural ceremony for his presidency at the Mahamasina Stadium in Antananarivo on January 25, 2014. The new president of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina announced a policy of national unity and declared he would reach out to the opposing camp of former President Marc Ravalomanana, during his inauguration in Antananarivo.
Madagascar's newly elected President Hery Rajaonarimampianina (R) receives the key symbolising the transfer of power from outgoing president Andry Rajoelina during a handover ceremony at Iavoloha Presidential Palace in Antananarivo on January 24, 2014. Rajoelina stood down, symbolically handing over power ahead of his elected successor's inauguration, a move designed to steer the Indian Ocean island out of crisis.
Supporters celebrate after Hery Rajaonarimampianina was declared president of Madagascar by an electoral courthouse in Antananarivo on January 17, 2014. Rajaonarimampianina, a former finance minister backed by strongman Andry Rajoelina, was Friday declared president of Madagascar following elections to restore democracy on the island nation. The December 20 elections came four years after Rajoelina seized power in 2009, with his rival Marc Ravalomanana fleeing into exile to South Africa, sparking a prolonged crisis that left the country isolated and its economy hobbled.
A member of security forces stands next a piece of evidence at the site of a grenade explosion in Antananarivo's Anosy district on January 25, 2014, just hours after the island's newly elected post-coup president had been sworn in, accoring to authorities. The blast occurred a few hundred metres (yards) from the stadium where Hery Rajaonarimampianina was installed as the island's first post-coup elected president, a police source said, killing a two-year-old and wounding over 30 people.
Hospital nurses attend to two men wounded in a grenade explosion in the Anosy district in Antananarivo late on January 25, 2014. A grenade explosion ripped through a Madagascar bus stop, killing a toddler and wounding 37 just hours after the island's newly elected president took the oath.
Electoral agents count votes at a polling station in Antananarivo on December 20, 2013, as the people of Madagascar elect a new President in a run-off vote aimed at ending a political and economic crisis sparked by a coup four years ago. More than 7.9 million Madagascans were eligible to vote in the elections, which also selected 151 lawmakers in a single-round parliamentary vote.
Electoral agents count ballots at a polling station in Antananarivo on December 20, 2013, as the people of Madagascar elect a new President in a run-off vote aimed at ending a political and economic crisis sparked by a coup four years ago. More than 7.9 million Madagascans were eligible to vote in the elections, which also selected 151 lawmakers in a single-round parliamentary vote.
Electoral agents count votes at a polling station in Antananarivo on December 20, 2013, as the people of Madagascar elect a new President in a run-off vote aimed at ending a political and economic crisis sparked by a coup four years ago. More than 7.9 million Madagascans were eligible to vote in the elections, which also selected 151 lawmakers in a single-round parliamentary vote.
Presidential candidate Hery Rajaonarimampianina casts his ballot in a polling station during the presidential election on December 20, 2013 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Madagascans return to polling stations on Friday to choose a new president in a run-off vote aimed at ending a political and economic crisis sparked by a coup four years ago.
A little girl in a polling station during the 2nd round of presidential and legislative election on December 20th, 2013 in Antananarivo.
Presidential candidate Hery Rajaonarimampianina (L) of the Hery Vaovao ho an'i Madagasikara party attends his last rally in Antananarivo on December 18, 2013 ahead of the upcoming presidential election on December 20. On December 20 voters are expected to choose a new president since President Andry Rajoelina seized power in a 2009 coup, with many hoping it will put an end to years of political turmoil.
Jean Louis Robinson (2ndL), the Presidential candidate of the AVANA Party, addresses his last rally in Antananarivo on December 18, 2013 with former First Lady Lalao Ravalomanana (L), ahead of the upcoming presidential election on December 20. On December 20 voters are expected to choose a new president since President Andry Rajoelina seized power in a 2009 coup, with many hoping it will put an end to years of political turmoil.
Supporters of Jean Louis Robinson, Presidential candidate of the AVANA Party, attend his last rally in Antananarivo on December 18, 2013 ahead of Madagascar's upcoming presidential election on December 20. On December 20 voters are expected to choose a new president since President Andry Rajoelina seized power in a 2009 coup, with many hoping it will put an end to years of political turmoil.
Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina greets supporters of his political party at a rally for TGV (Tanora malaGasy Vonona) in Antananarivo on December 1, 2013 to round up support for his party's candidate for the 2nd round of the elections later this mouth.
A Madagascan youth waits to mark votes on the board at a polling station in Antananarivo on October 25, 2013. Madagascar voted in presidential elections to restore democracy following a 2009 coup as international observers hailed a calm and transparent poll despite isolated incidents of violence that left one dead.
A gendarme patrols near a polling station in the Anosy district of Antananarivo on October 24, 2013. Poverty-wracked Madagascar votes on october 25 in long-delayed elections expected to restore democracy and pull the vanilla-rich country out of the rut it sunk into after a 2009 coup. With 33 candidates on the ballot paper and no clear favourite, chances of a first-round winner appear slim, raising the possibility of a run-off in eight weeks' time. Main political players, including strongman Andry Rajoelina and the man he toppled in March 2009, Marc Ravalomanana -- have been barred from the election to avoid their long-running political wrangling from jeopardising the vote.
People prepare to vote at a polling station in Tamatave, on the eastern coast of Madagascar, on October 25, 2013. Madagascar voted in crunch elections on October 25 to restore democracy after a 2009 coup plunged the island nation into crisis, with isolated incidents of violence leaving one dead. A senior government official was killed and a polling station torched as voters sought to end a crisis which has crippled the country since strongman Andry Rajoelina, 39, ousted Marc Ravalomanana four years ago.
European Union chief observer Maria Muniz de Urquiza (R) stands next to a private aeroplane as she goes to inspect a polling station on October 25, 2013 in Tamatave, on the eastern coast of Madagascar. Madagascar voted in crunch elections on October 25 to restore democracy after a 2009 coup plunged the island nation into crisis, with isolated incidents of violence leaving one dead. A senior government official was killed and a polling station torched as voters sought to end a crisis which has crippled the country since strongman Andry Rajoelina, 39, ousted Marc Ravalomanana four years ago.
Supporters of presidential candidate Robinson Jean Louis cheer arounf his car during the last campaign rally on October 23, 2013 in Antananarivo ahead of the presidential elections on October 25, 2013. Thirty-three candidates are running in a poll that is meant to end a four-year political crisis on the Indian Ocean island sparked when strongman Andry Rajoelina ousted then-president Marc Ravalomanana in a coup. But supporters are divided over new candidates after Rajoelina and Ravalomanana's wife Lalao, along with a few others, were barred from running under international pressure. After the presidential polls, a parliamentary vote will follow on December 20, along with a second presidential round if the October election does not deliver an outright winner. Madagascar votes on October 25 in long-delayed elections meant to pull the island nation out of a devastating political crisis that plunged millions into misery after the 2009 coup.
A man named Solo collects the ashes on October 6, 2013 of the Malagasy man who was burned on October 3 by a mob. He says that he was his young brother. Piles of ash marked the spots on Nosy Be where a local man, a French national and a man with dual Italian and French nationality were burned by a furious mob. The three were suspected of killing an eight year old local boy and mutilating his corpse, sparking an orgy of violence that rocked this tropical Indian Ocean heaven.
Police patrol on October 5, 2013 in Hell-Ville on Nosy-Be where a mob lynched on October 3 a local man suspected of killing a boy for his organs. Piles of ash marked the spots on Nosy Be where a local man, a French national and a man with dual Italian and French nationality were burned by a furious mob. The three were suspected of killing an eight year old local boy and mutilating his corpse, sparking an orgy of violence that rocked this tropical Indian Ocean heaven.
Men commune with themselves on October 7, 2013 in Nosy-Be at the grave of the eight-year-old boy whose the body was found at Ambatolaoka beach on October 3, 2013. Madagascar police on Monday held 35 suspects in connection with the mob lynching of two Europeans and a local man accused of killing a young boy on a tourist island.
A man lies on the ground after being killed by a bomb blast, on September 16, 2013 in Antananarivo. An assortment of weapons was seized by police at the site of the explosion in the city centre area known as Ambondrona, including a pistol, a sword, ammunition, and material used to make explosives. "The bomb exploded in a house when the victim was working on it" the police commander for Antananarivo, Colonel Florens Rakotomahanina said".
Some of about 1,500 people displaced after cyclone Haruna lashed the Indian Ocean island three weeks ago live in tents on March 12, 2013 at camp set up in the Tulear military camp. The tents house 10 persons, and the displaced complain about lack of food and medecine at the camp. The February 22 storm, which killed 26 people and affected nearly 40,000 more, forced thousands of people to cram into emergency camps or battle it out at home in devastated villages. Now villagers have to eat grasshoppers -- occasionally grilled in parts of the country -- which are cooked with a little water and salt.