Madagascar has a new government. The prime minister, Albert Camille Vital, remains in post, but there are 23 new ministers and only nine from the previous government.

The new government is, in theory, significant, because it is a government of ‘national union’. Allafrica reports that the government includes six representatives of former president Marc Ravalomanana’s movement, though my understanding is that Ravalomanana does not support the rapprochement. In addition, there are representatives of former presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy. That said, the system still seems to be controlled by the de facto leader of the de facto coup in 2009, Andry Rajoelina.

The first elections under the new constitution are due to be held in September.