Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-22 02:09:42|Editor: Chengcheng

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People demonstrate at the May 13 square, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, April 21, 2018. One was shot dead, while 17 others were injured during opposition demonstrations on Saturday in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar, Madagascar's Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana said. (Xinhua/Eric Laperozy)

By Eric Laperozy and Holitiana Randrianasolo

ANTANANARIVO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- One was shot dead, while 17 others were injured during opposition demonstrations on Saturday in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar, Madagascar's Prime minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana said.

However, one of the leaders the demonstration, Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, a parliament member supporting former president Marc Ravalomanana, said that four were killed, including two demonstrators shot dead and two babies suffocated by tear gas at the children hospital nearby the scene.

Some 73 parliament members, who opposed to the adoption of electoral law at the parliament, planned to report to their followers a complaint about this electoral law at the May 13 square, a famous venue where opposition overthrew the power in 1972, 1991, 2002 and 2009.

However, the government banned this demonstration. A Xinhua reporter who was on spot saw that the armed forces sealed off the May 13 square, threw tear gas to demonstrators who already filled all roads to square.

Demonstrators resisted the tear gas and pushed the armed forces by throwing stones. The armed troops gave up and let thousands of demonstrators join the May 13 square.

Three hours after, the armed forces came back to May 13 square, but this time they secured the demonstrators to avoid smudge.

During the clash in the morning, Xinhua reporter saw one of the demonstrators shot dead on spot, another was seriously injured after he was hit by bullet on the head, and others were injured of tear gas firing.

Angry demonstrators set a police 4x4 pick-up on fire which remained at May 13 square.

Some people also tried to rob the mobile phone stores owned by a parliament member who support Madagascar's president Hery Rajaonarimamianina but fortunately the store owner already emptied it before the demonstration.

Late Saturday, Razafimanantsoa said the demonstration will continue on Sunday with funeral ritual of the four people killed during the demonstration.

"The demonstration will continue again on Monday to fight against corruption, we will continue it until the dismissal of president Hery Rajaonarimampianina," Razafimanantsoa said asking former president Marc Ravalomanana, former transition president Andry Rajoelina, the church council, all opposition parties in the country, the students and public servants to join on Monday.

President Rajaonarimampianina is abroad since Thursday night, according to the presidency.

Prime Minister Solonandrasana called for dialog with opposition and appeasement from the people. "Do not make violence as durable solution for our country. This is not good for Madagascar."

The president of the senate Rivo Rakotovo, who is the president of ruling party Hery Vaovaon'i Madagasikara (HVM) or New Force of Madagascar, also urged appeasement. He said that only dialog between politicians can resolve the problem. "Road demonstration is not for Madagascar which is still weak on economy," he said.

These 73 parliament members include those who support former president Marc Ravalomanana, those who supported the former transition president Andry Rajoelina, and other parliament members who opposed to the current regime.

This is the fifth cyclical political crisis in Madagascar since its independence in 1960 after that of 1972, 1991, 2002, and 2009.

The political crisis in Madagascar in 2009 saw Rajoelina opposing Ravalomanana, with many of their followers killed. But 9 years later, Ravalomanana and Rajoelina joined forces to overthrow Rajaonarimampianina, who was the candidate supported by Rajoelina in 2013.</s>One person died and 17 others were injured Saturday in clashes between Madagascar’s security forces and thousands of opposition activists protesting against new election laws ahead of a vote later this year in the restive island nation.

Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana said in an address on state television that the country faced a “sad” day with the loss of a life during the demonstrations.

“According to the official report, there is one death and 17 wounded,” he said.

Earlier, Olivat Alison Aimee Rakoto, head of the public hospital HJRA in Antananarivo, had told AFP that they had attended to “17 wounded…, one of whom succumbed to his wounds”. He did not specify if the injured were protesters or police.

The premier said an investigation had been launched “to shed light on the cause of this death”.

“We must now get rid of our habits of looking for solutions through violence,” he said.

Authorities had earlier in the week declared the protest illegal but opposition activists defied the order and forged ahead with the demonstration, which saw thousands throng a public square outside city hall in the capital of Antananarivo.

Clashes erupted after police fired tear gas to try to disperse the protesters as the crowd grew and overwhelmed the security forces, occupying the square, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Some of the demonstrators reacted by hurling rocks at the officers.

The opposition has accused the government of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina of wanting to muzzle it through new electoral laws in the run-up to presidential and legislative elections due to be held in late November or December.

The opposition claims that three new laws, adopted earlier this month, favour the ruling party and put in place obstacles to the disadvantage of opponents.

Rajaonarimampianina is out of the country on official business, according to his office, which did not specify his location.

“The message to the president of the republic who is out of the country, is that it would be good that you remain where you are,” opposition lawmaker Hanitriniaina Razafimanantsoa said.

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 were behind Saturday’s protests.

The Indian Ocean island nation endured several years of turmoil after Ravalomanana was ousted as president in the 2009 coup that led to the withdrawal of foreign investment and donor money.

Ravalomanana 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.</s>One person died and 16 others were injured in clashes between Madagascar's security forces and thousands of opposition activists protesting against new election laws ahead of a vote later this year in the politically-volatile island nation.

"We received 17 wounded today, one of whom succumbed to his wounds," Olivat Alison Aimee Rakoto, head of the hospital HJRA in Antanannarivo, told AFP. He did not specify if the injured were protesters or police.

Authorities had earlier in the week declared the protest illegal but opposition activists defied the order and forged ahead with the demonstration which saw thousands throng a public square outside city hall in the capital of Antananarivo.

Clashes erupted after police fired tear gas to try to disperse the protesters as the crowd grew and overwhelmed the security forces, occupying the square, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Some of the opposition supporters reacted by hurling rocks at the officers.

There was no immediate comment from authorities on the protests.

The opposition has accused the government of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina of wanting to muzzle it through new electoral laws in the run-up to presidential and legislative elections due to be held in late November or December.

The opposition claims that three new laws, adopted earlier this month, favour the ruling party and put in place obstacles to the disadvantage of opponents.

Rajaonarimampianina is out of the country on official business, according to his office, which did not specify where he was.

"The message to the president of the republic who is out of the country, is that it would be good that you remain where you are," an opposition lawmaker Hanitriniaina Razafimanantsoa said.

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 were behind Saturday's protests.

The Indian Ocean island nation endured several years of turmoil after Ravalomanana was ousted as president in a 2009 coup that led to the withdrawal of foreign investment and donor money.

Ravalomanana was overthrown in 2009 after 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 an end to a long series of political crises in Madagascar.</s>Several opposition protesters were wounded on Saturday when clashes broke out between Madagascar's police and military, and thousands of activists against new election laws ahead of a vote later this year.

Authorities had on Tuesday declared the protest illegal but opposition activists defied the order and forged ahead with the demonstration which saw thousands throng outside the city hall in Antananarivo.

Security forces fired teargas to disperse the crowd and some reacted by hurling rocks at the officers.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a doctor at a local hospital said medics had treated 11 people who were injured in the clashes.

"I'm told there are dead people and I can vouch that I personally saw one dead person," an opposition MAPAR lawmaker Hawel Mamod Ali told reporters.

There was no immediate information from authorities.

The opposition has accused the government of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina of wanting to muzzle it ahead of presidential and legislative elections to be held in late November or December.

Opposition MPs charge that three newly adopted laws favour the ruling party.

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

Meanwhile two former heads of state have already mooted runs: Marc Ravalomanana, who was president from 2002 to 2009, and Andry Rajoelina, who succeeded him.

Both were barred from running in 2013.

Ravalomanana was overthrown in 2009 after 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 an end to a long series of political crises in Madagascar.</s>Dozens of soldiers on Sunday threw a cordon around a public square in Madagascar's capital where opposition protests against new electoral laws have killed one person in the restive island nation.

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

One person died and at least 17 were wounded in clashes on Saturday between thousands of opposition activists and security forces in the same square during demonstrations against new laws the opposition claims favour the ruling party and put in place obstacles to the disadvantage of opponents.

The large Indian Ocean island of Madagascar is due to hold presidential and legislative elections in late November or December.

Authorities had last week declared the Saturday protest illegal but opposition activists defied the order and forged ahead with the demonstration.

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina is out of the country on official business, according to his office, which did not specify his location.

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 were behind Saturday's protests.

The Indian Ocean island nation endured several years of turmoil after Ravalomanana was ousted as president in the 2009 coup that led to the withdrawal of foreign investment and donor money.

Ravalomanana 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.</s>Dozens of soldiers on Sunday temporarily threw a cordon around a public square in Madagascar's capital where opposition protests against new electoral laws have left two people dead in 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 are protesting against new electoral laws that the opposition claim could stop some candidates from standing in upcoming presidential elections.

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

Two people died in violence on Saturday, hospital chiefs updated on Sunday, and at least 16 were wounded after clashes between thousands of opposition activists and security forces in the square.

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".

Rajaonarimampianina, who returned Sunday from a trip abroad, is expected to address the nation on Sunday night.

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.</s>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.

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.

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.</s>Madagascar police fired teargas at opposition demonstrators protesting against new electoral laws they say are designed to lock out their candidate from a presidential election due later this year.

Supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, a former leader of the Indian Ocean island nation, say the new electoral laws are designed to prevent him running in the election. The opposition is also contending provisions on campaign financing and access to media in the laws.

Ravalomanana, who was deposed in a 2009 coup, has teamed up with the man who succeeded him, Andy Rajoelina, to oppose the laws pushed by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the centre of the capital early on Saturday to protest against the laws which were enacted by parliament earlier this month, before police fired dozens of teargas canisters at the crowd.

“Two people were injured. We are taking care of them now,” said Olivat Rakoto, director of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona hospital in the city. One opposition lawmaker accused the government of attacking opposition MPs while carrying out their work and demanded the president’s resignation.

“Hery Rajaonarimampianina has to resign, he attacks members of Parliament which are in the line of their duty,” said Paul Bert Rahasimanana who represents a constituency in the capital.

“We just wanted to do some report on the adoption of electoral laws and he sends us forces of repression.”

Police later retreated from the scene outside the mayor’s office, leaving about 1,000 opposition supporters protesting peacefully.

“We are here because we need freedom of speech and because we do not agree with the authoritarian government,” said Fafah Rasoanirina, a 24-year old protester.

The opposition says the law requires a presidential candidate to produce a report on all previous judicial convictions, which could be a disadvantage for their candidate. Ravalomanana was convicted by a court when he was in exile after the 2009 coup for a range of offences.

He has already said he will run in the election due before the end of this year though the precise date has yet to be set.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App</s>ANTANANARIVO (REUTERS) - One person was killed on Saturday (April 21) when Madagascar police fired tear gas at opposition demonstrators protesting against new electoral laws they say are designed to lock out their candidate from a presidential election due this year.

Olivat Rakoto, director of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona hospital in the city, said they had received 17 people with injuries from midday to 3pm (8pm Singapore time).

"One person came but we could do nothing for him when he arrived," she said, referring to the dead person, one of the 17.

Rakoto did not comment on the nature of the injuries but some witnesses at the hospital said some were caused by gas canisters.

Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly said an investigation would be carried out and action taken against those responsible, adding the government would start talks on the new laws.

"The dialogue to find the consensus is what will enable us to arrive at durable solutions," he said on state radio.

"The government is ready for dialogue to find this consensus." Supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, a former leader of the Indian Ocean island nation, say the new electoral laws are designed to prevent him running in the election.

The opposition is also contending provisions on campaign financing and access to media in the laws.

Ravalomanana, who was deposed in a 2009 coup, has teamed up with the man who succeeded him, Andy Rajoelina, to oppose the laws pushed by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the centre of the capital early on Saturday to protest against the laws which were enacted by parliament earlier this month, before police fired dozens of teargas canisters at the crowd.

One opposition lawmaker accused the government of attacking opposition MPs while carrying out their work and demanded the president's resignation.

"Hery Rajaonarimampianina has to resign, he attacks members of Parliament which are in the line of their duty," said Paul Bert Rahasimanana who represents a constituency in the capital.

"We just wanted to do some report on the adoption of electoral laws and he sends us forces of repression." Police later retreated from the scene outside the mayor's office, leaving about 1,000 opposition supporters protesting peacefully.

"We are here because we need freedom of speech and because we do not agree with the authoritarian government," said Fafah Rasoanirina, a 24-year old protester.

The opposition says the law requires a presidential candidate to produce a report on all previous judicial convictions, which could be a disadvantage for their candidate. Ravalomanana was convicted by a court when he was in exile after the 2009 coup for a range of offences.

He has already said he will run in the election due before the end of this year though the precise date has yet to be set.</s>ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar police fired teargas at opposition demonstrators protesting against new electoral laws they say are designed to lock out their candidate from a presidential election due later this year.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the centre of the capital early on Saturday to protest against the laws which were enacted by parliament earlier this month, before police dispersed the protests by firing dozens of teargas canisters at the crowd.

One opposition lawmaker accused the government of attacking opposition MPs while carrying out their work and demanded the president’s resignation.

“(President) Hery Rajaonarimampianina has to resign, he attacks members of Parliament which are in the line of their duty,” said Paul Bert Rahasimanana who represents a constituency in the capital.

“We just wanted to do some report on the adoption of electoral laws and he sends us forces of repression.”

Supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, a former leader of the island nation, say the new electoral laws are designed to prevent him running in the election. The opposition is also contending provisions on campaign financing and access to media in the laws.
Opposition demonstrations in Antananarivo, Madagascar, turn violent. Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana says one died and seventeen were injured but opposition Parliamentarian Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, who supports ex-President Marc Ravalomanana, says two were shot dead and two babies at a nearby hospital killed by tear gas.