Madagascar Police Kill 23 Protesters

Madagascar Police Kill 23 Protesters

www.nytimes.com

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (Agence France-Presse) — The police in Madagascar shot dead at least 23 supporters of the opposition leader Andry Rajoelina on Saturday as they tried to march toward a compound of President Marc Ravalomanana.

The escalation in the weeks-old power struggle between Mr. Rajoelina, the ousted mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, and Mr. Ravalomanana came after the opposition announced a rival “transition authority” placing Mr. Rajoelina in charge.

After facing off with security forces in the capital for an hour, a group of demonstrators started marching toward the presidential compound, the Ambohitsorohitra Palace.

One cordon of riot police officers retreated when the protesters advanced but a second one closer to the palace opened fire.

“There are 23 dead and 83 wounded at the Joseph Andravahangy Andrianavalona hospital,” said Jaona Andrianaivo, head of the Antananarivo fire brigade.

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I have not been following anything going on in this region but apparently there is lots going on. The government is Madagascar has been accused of abandoning the people, which seems to be a theme around the globe these days. I can't help but wonder what's the meaning of all this as all this these days seems just out of control.

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