Madagascar celebrates 57th anniversary of independence

Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-27 03:04:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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ANTANANARIVO, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Madagascar celebrated the 57th anniversary of its independence coupled with the anniversary of the Malagasy army, on Monday with the theme "I love my homeland, its emergence is my challenge."

The traditional military parade held by some 2,600 members of the armed forces opened the ceremony and lasted about two hours at Mahamasina stadium. Safety was strictly controlled at the stadium because of the blast last year.

After the military parade, about 1,200 guests rushed to Iavoloha presidential palace, 15 kilometers south of Antananarivo city center for the banquet that Madagascar's president Hery Rajaonarimampianina and his wife offered.

The president began his speech with a thought for the Malagasy diaspora abroad for this Independence Day and also for Muslims for the end of Ramadan period.

"We must launch a challenge to mark history," he said.

"For the 57 years of independence, Madagascar had experienced 13 presidents and heads of state. Only six of them are elected by the Malagasy people and only two presidential elections have passed without a post-election crisis. The reason is that we have not been able to set tags for political stability," Rajaonarimampianina said.

"Only 15 percent of the population have access to electricity. Many households don't have yet access to safe drinking water while several roads are in poor condition. Everyone are responsible to deal with this situation. Disputes and political discord do not help us to move forward. It's time to stop it. The emergence of the country is our only target," the president said.

"We must join hands to develop this country, to fight against acts of violence, mob justice and to maintain security, to improve agricultural production, to promote industrialization, to protect the national wealth of Madagascar and environment," the president added.

The president gave instructions to public security top officials and called all citizens to take their responsibility to strengthen security in the country.

The president told diplomatic corps attending the presidential banquet that fighters of the national uprising against France in 1947 left to the generations a torch of patriotism to trigger the harmonious emergence in all areas.

The president urged his fellow citizens not to participate in terrorism, violence and all forms of intimidation.

After the banquet, a concert with famous Malagasy dancers and singers ended the celebration at Mahamasina stadium.

Madagascar was colonized by France since the signing of the Annexation Act on Aug. 6, 1896. A self-determination referendum establishing the presidential system of Madagascar was held on Sept. 28, 1958. The first Republic was proclaimed on Oct. 14 the same year. Thereafter, the annexation Act was repealed on the day after the proclamation.

On June 26, 1960, Madagascar's President Philibert Tsiranana, elected by the provincial councils on May 1, 1959 officially declared at the Mahamasina stadium that France recognized the Malagasy Republic as an independent and sovereign state.

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