This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7878441.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Madagascar defence minister quits | Madagascar defence minister quits |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Madagascar's defence minister has resigned after police shot dead 28 opposition protesters at the weekend. | |
Cecile Manorohanta said her conscience could not endure the bloodshed. She was replaced by the chief of military staff, Mamy Ranaivoniarivo. | |
It comes amid a bitter power struggle between President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. | |
Up to 5,000 people held a memorial for the dead protesters in Antananarivo on Monday and later dispersed peacefully. | |
As a mother, I do not tolerate this violence Cecile Manorohanta class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7878439.stm">A very deadly power struggle class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7876932.stm">In pictures: Madagascar violence class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7859093.stm">Madagascar's 'militant mayor' | |
Mr Rajoelina on Saturday organised a large rally attended by some 20,000 people during which he announced a "transition authority" and named his own prime minister. | Mr Rajoelina on Saturday organised a large rally attended by some 20,000 people during which he announced a "transition authority" and named his own prime minister. |
In addition to some 28 people who died as security forces opened fire on demonstrators marching towards the presidential compound, more than 200 people were wounded. | In addition to some 28 people who died as security forces opened fire on demonstrators marching towards the presidential compound, more than 200 people were wounded. |
The minister, once a close ally of the president, read out a resignation statement on the private radio channel Antsive on Monday. | |
She said: "In this period of political crisis, I extend my condolences and moral support to the families who suffered losses. | |
"As a mother, I do not tolerate this violence. It was agreed at government level that the security forces were meant to protect the population and its property." | "As a mother, I do not tolerate this violence. It was agreed at government level that the security forces were meant to protect the population and its property." |
'Sadness' | 'Sadness' |
Meanwhile, Haile Menkerios, the UN assistant secretary general for political affairs, expressed concern at events in Madagascar after meeting President Ravalomanana on Monday. | Meanwhile, Haile Menkerios, the UN assistant secretary general for political affairs, expressed concern at events in Madagascar after meeting President Ravalomanana on Monday. |
He said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon felt "extreme sadness" over Saturday's deaths and was calling for those responsible from both sides to be brought to justice. | He said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon felt "extreme sadness" over Saturday's deaths and was calling for those responsible from both sides to be brought to justice. |
Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina is a 34-year-old former DJ | Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina is a 34-year-old former DJ |
The UN envoy is also meeting Mr Rajoelina. | |
The weekend's rally followed last week's dismissal of Mr Rajoelina as mayor of the capital, Antananarivo. | The weekend's rally followed last week's dismissal of Mr Rajoelina as mayor of the capital, Antananarivo. |
The 34-year-old former DJ has accused President Ravalomanana of being a dictator and of misspending public money. | The 34-year-old former DJ has accused President Ravalomanana of being a dictator and of misspending public money. |
The president, who is also a former mayor of Antananarivo, has accused the opposition leader of trouble-making. | |
Saturday's bloodshed brings to more than 100 the death toll since anti-government protests erupted at the end of January. | |
Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, has become a destination for tourists as well as foreign companies, searching for oil, gold, cobalt, nickel and uranium. | Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, has become a destination for tourists as well as foreign companies, searching for oil, gold, cobalt, nickel and uranium. |