A Prayer and a Plea for Madagascar by Cynthia Holder Rich
A Prayer for Madagascar
God of Peace, Just Savior,
Help us to be servants of those hungry for peace, not division;
Strengthen our resolve to stand with those who clamor for justice;
Awaken us to crimes of violence and greed.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Jesus, in your eyes, children are uniquely precious in God’s Realm.
The children of Madagascar hang on by the slimmest thread.
Thousands upon thousands have died while we looked away.
Give us courage to speak out for the life of children in peril.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The countryside, which you have blessed with untold wonders and unique beauty,
Has held interest, mostly, for those who would rape this rich land and profit from its mineral bounty.
Give us the words to advocate for the protection of your creation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Righteous God, leaders of the church in Madagascar
Those whom you have called and equipped for ministry
Are under persecution, silenced, and imprisoned.
Give us strength to stand with the persecuted church.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God, as international leaders take their time
Calculating geopolitical strategies
And discerning who might get what from any plan put forth
The losses – of jobs, health, life and dignity – pile up
On the streets of Madagascar’s cities.
Let us find our voices to speak for those who have no voice.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Forgive us our failures, our silence, our ignorance.
Give us strength to rise and bring your word of peace with justice.
Call us to make a difference for those who suffer.
Empower us to be agents of your resurrection and compassion in this world.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
URGENT: DANGER FOR MADAGASCAR
On March 31st, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) reviews a dangerous roadmap proposed to end Madagascar’s crisis brought about in 2009 by Andry Rajoelina’s coup d’état against democratically elected president Marc Ravalomanana.
The current SADC roadmap is dangerous for Madagascar because it rewards Andry Rajoelina with dictatorial powers and allows him to run for election even though he is constitutionally unqualified for the presidency according to the pre-coup constitution. The current roadmap is a formula for continued conflict, not a return to democracy. If this roadmap is approved without serious modifications, it will set a hazardous precedent that coup d’états and repression are a successful way to gain and maintain power in Madagascar and elsewhere.
Since the initialing of the roadmap on March 9th, Andry Rajoelina has named incumbent Prime Minister Camille Vital as his “consensus” prime minister on March 16th in a serious violation of the roadmap. The head of Ravalomanana’s political faction in Madagascar, Mamy Rakotoarivelo, was detained by Rajoelina’s secret police on March 15th.
It is urgent that the United States use its influence to encourage SADC to find a solution that limits Rajoelina’s power and allows for a consensual transition agreed upon by all major factions.
If the SADC roadmap is not significantly modified, the United States should not support it.
Thank you very much for caring about democracy and the people of Madagascar
Please send this message by phone, fax, e-mail, or facebook:
Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) Chair, Subcommittee on African Affairs tel(202) 224-5042 fax: (202) 228-3075
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Coons/7209432197; twitter: http://twitter.com/chriscoons
Senior political advisor: Christy Gleason email via trinity_hall@coons.senate.gov
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) Ranking Minority, Subcommittee on African Affairs Aide: Houston Ernst Tel: (202) 224-3643 Fax: (202) 228-0724 htp://www.facebook.com/isakson
Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) Chair, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health (02) 225 –3765 Fax: 202-225-7768 Aide: Mark Kearney 202-226-7812, mark.kearney@mail.house.gov
Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) Ranking Minority, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Aide: Algene Sajery Tel:(202)-225-3436 Fax: (202)-225-4160, algene.sajery@mail.house.gov
Amb. Johnnie Carson Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs 202-647-4440
Mr. Karl Wycoff Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs 202-647-1819, wycoffke@state.govAide: Sybil Johnson 202-647-1818
Ms. Marisa Cohrs State Dept Country Officer for Madagascar 202-647-5922, cohrsmn@state.gov
White House comment line: (202) 456-1111 — pick one or two key points and share them on this voicemail line.
I sent a message to Donald Payne who happens to be my rep. He is a good man. the tragedy and travesty of Madagascar is heartbreaking. How come we are not stepping in to stop the madness there? or Sierra Leone? or any other dictator’s evil? oh, wait – if there be no oil, the US will not foil…
One anxiety I have about all this is that they HAVE found oil off the coast, but of course, the riches therein will never benefit the people of Madagascar. Thanks for your action and prayers!
Thank you so much, Cynthia! What a beautiful, moving prayer for Madagascar and a detailed call to advocacy on behalf of the Malagasy people! I have called several in D.C. this week and last: Rep. Payne’s office, Rep. Christopher Smith’s office, and Sen. Chris Coons’ office. I intend to call Amb. Johnnie Carson’s office and Amb. Karl Wycoff’s once again. I keep praying, also!
Thanks for your action and prayers, Nancy. Great to have some experienced advocates along for the ride — greetings to you and Bill.
Thanks Pastor Holder-Rich. I will share the information about Madagascar with our students at SCUPE. My prayers are with you.
Thanks so much, Cynthia. It may be the first time your students have heard about the situation; thanks for spreading the word, and for your prayers.
Thanks so much for the beautiful prayer and your concern accompanied by action. I am eager to visit Madagascar this fall.
Thanks Deb — I wish I was going with you! You will love Madagascar; it is beautiful and the people are wonderful. Thanks for praying, too!