MADAGASCAR: More than 100 people have been killed in civil unrest in Madagascar this week

Record ID: 1531280

  • Title: MADAGASCAR: More than 100 people have been killed in civil unrest in Madagascar this week
  • Date: 31st January 2009
  • Summary: NEWSPAPERS
  • Embargoed: 16th February 2009 11:23
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Madagascar
  • Country: Madagascar
  • Topics: War / Fighting,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAQXRJSWLWE2VUKKZZAEH8WPEF
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: The U.S. ambassador to Madagascar said on Friday (January 30) that more than 100 people had died from this week's civil unrest on the Indian Ocean island.
    Police had previously confirmed 44 deaths from the worst bout of street violence in years on politically volatile Madagascar. More than 30 people died in one incident alone on Monday when looters were caught in a burning store.
    "Well we are of course concerned about any demonstration because any public demonstration with thousands of people and security forces and all that has the potential we saw earlier this week, to get out of control, so every time there is a demonstration we are concerned and that is part of the urgency, I don't know if you have a death toll that's more accurate. More than a hundred all together," ambassador Niels Marquardt told Reuters TV.
    The mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, was on Friday meeting diplomats and religious leaders who are making a diplomatic push to end the unrest.
    Rajoelina has been spearheading a week of demonstrations and strike action against President Marc Ravalomanana's government, which he accuses of turning Madagascar into a dictatorship.
    Rajoelina's supporters were planning another mass rally on Saturday in the city's main square.
    The United States, former ruler France, and other nations have called for calm and dialogue between the feuding sides.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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