The protest ended in a bloody tragedy. Police opened fire against supporters of the opposition. On Saturday, the security forces killed at least 25 people during a protest against the government of President Marc Ravalomanana. The carnage happened in front of the presidential palace, reported an official of the force. Eighty other people were injured.
Two weeks of unrest fueled by the power struggle between the president and former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, have also brought concern to companies that invest in the island located in the Indian Ocean. Rajoelina accused the government of killing civilians: “The people were not armed. They only had their courage,” he said immediately after the shooting.
“The crowd was walking peacefully when suddenly the army opened fire,” said Jocelyn Ratolojanahary in the hospital Ravoahangy Andrianavalona. He added that he saw several bodies at the palace.
Madagascan president Marc Ravalomanana created the country’s image of being a paradise for tourists. Madagascar has also opened its doors to large foreign companies that explore the area in search of oil, gold, cobalt, nickel, and uranium.
Via Reuters
