A year after a military coup rocked the island of Madagascar in March 2009, deposing its president Marc Ravolomanana and installing an inexperienced former DJ, Andry Rajoelina (TGV) in his place, the country of 20 million has finally reached tipping point. With its government bankrupt, its donor funds drying up, and its economy and infrastructure in tatters, the urgency of legitimacy through elections is the last remaining hope that could halt the country erupting into civil war. Promises by Rajoelina to abolish political autocracy and government corruption have proven spurious, relations between the international community, including the US, EU, AU and SADC have reached critical mass, and opposition parties are now consolidating their power, vying for a place on the political stage in the upcoming elections. With no rule of law and no enforcement, the country is a ticking time bomb poised to implode. While Madagascar celebrates 50 years of independence from France, the country remains mired in economic crisis and political uncertainty over who is legitimately leading the nation of 20 million.