Share

UPDATE: Madagascar leaders condemn deadly protests as 'coup'

The president of Madagascar on Sunday condemned as a "coup" deadly opposition-led protests against new electoral laws and warned "troublemakers" against further action.

"I call on all the people of Madagascar to be calm, respect democracy, but what happened on Saturday is nothing but a coup," President Hery Rajaonarimampianina said in a television address, referring to clashes between security forces and police and opposition protesters.

"We must all be convinced that a coup d'etat brings no solution for our country's future. I warn troublemakers and those who insist on hatred and clashes in search of a bloodbath or loss in human life," he added.

Two people were killed and 16 wounded in the clashes on Saturday.

Dozens of soldiers had earlier been deployed around the public square in the capital of the restive island nation.

The soldiers later vacated the square in Antananarivo, clearing the way for some 100 opposition activists to gather, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

The demonstrators were protesting against new electoral laws that the opposition claim could bar some candidates from standing in upcoming presidential elections.

 'Nothing but a coup'

The large Indian Ocean island is due to hold polls in late November or December.

Authorities had declared the Saturday protest illegal, but opposition activists defied the order.

"I came here to pay homage to those killed yesterday here," said protester Nirina, who refused to give her surname.

"I was afraid that there would be more deaths today, but fortunately the soldiers left," she added, saying that she thought more soldiers had been deployed.

She said she and other protesters were calling for President Hery Rajaonarimampianina "to resign".

'The worst regime'

Elected in 2013, Rajaonarimampianina has not yet announced whether he will stand for re-election.

But two former heads of state have already mooted runs: Marc Ravalomanana, who was president from 2002 to 2009, and Andry Rajoelina, who removed him during a coup.

Both were barred from running in 2013 and their parties have been involved in the protests.

Madagascar endured several years of turmoil after Ravalomanana was ousted as president in the 2009 coup.

He was overthrown following an army mutiny that allowed Rajoelina -- then Antananarivo mayor -- to become the country's unelected transition president until 2014.

Rajaonarimampianina's arrival in power brought a temporary end to Madagascar's long series of political crises.

"I have lived under different regimes in Madagascar but it is this one, under Rajaonarimampianina, which is the worst," said protester Aime Abel Jocelyn, who travelled 500 kilometres from the town of Betroka.

"I came here to help bring change... to find a solution for my country."

The European Union mission in Madagascar in a statement called on the country's political actors to exercise restraint and expressed its support for "credible, transparent and inclusive presidential elections in 2018".

The African Union representative in Madagascar, Ahmed Youssouf Hawa, also called for calm, restraint and accountability.

"Madagascar does not need to plunge back into a difficult situation just a few months before the elections," he said in a statement.

* Sign up to News24's top Africa news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO THE HELLO AFRICA NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 396 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 556 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE