Categories
Perspectives

June 25, 2016: Grenade explosion at free concert in Madagascar

On June 25, 2016 a grenade explosion killed three people during Madagascar’s national day celebrations in the capital, Antananarivo.

ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR – By now it should be clear that terrorist acts know no geographic limits.

When it comes to Madagascar I would bet dollars to donuts that two things come to mind:

a) lemurs

b) environmental destruction

The island nation off the southeast coast of Africa is of course known for its lemurs. And those creatures are of course under threat from environmental destruction so the two are most definitely tied together.

Hey! Do I come and destroy YOUR house? (Photo: Frank Vassen on flickr, CC BY 2.0)

What Madagascar is NOT generally known for is terrorism. That should not mean it is immune from this ideological scourge.

On this day in 2016

A grenade explosion killed three people during Madagascar’s national day celebrations in the capital, Antananarivo. Another 80 were wounded. The blast happened during a free concert at the Mahamasina stadium where a military parade had taken place earlier.

Divergences in point of view may exist between us… [But] if the leader does not suit you… you cannot kill the population. We will never tolerate destabilisation. Especially because this is not only destabilisation but an act of terrorism.

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina

No arrests were made in connection with that attack and there was no claim of responsibility. No lemurs were known to have suffered – this time.

Read More Today in Terrorism

By Phil Gurski

Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. Phil is a 32-year veteran of CSE and CSIS and the author of six books on terrorism.

Leave a Reply