Bible work 'seriously disrupted' by political crisis in MadagascarANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — The work of the Malagasy Bible Society is being hit by the unstable political climate following presidential elections held in December 2001. Many public services are not operating, and there has been widespread disruption in Antananarivo as supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, the main rival to President Didier Ratsikara, have taken to the streets. The Bible Society’s distribution program has been hampered, with Bibles from South Korea having been delayed at the port of Tamatave, and it has proved very difficult to hold committee meetings. Ethnic conflicts have broken out in several parts of the country, and there are fears of civil war. Staff at the Bible Society remain “in good spirits,” according to Peter Mkolesia, UBS Regional Secretary for Southern Africa, even though they face many practical challenges. (WR 368/16 - 6.02)e-187, e-193 & e-197 |