Madagascar Opposition Leader Calls for New Government, More Protests
By VOA News
30 January 2009
The main opposition leader in Madagascar is calling for a transitional government, as higher death tolls of recent unrest are being reported.
Andry Rajoelina, the 34-year-old mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, said Friday he was ready to head an interim national government.
The mayor led a protest Thursday, as most businesses and schools closed down, and is preparing new protests for Saturday. Rajoelina and his supporters say President Marc Ravalomanana has become too authoritarian in his decisions.
Anti-government rallies turned deadly earlier in the week. Police said 44 people were killed Monday. Foreign diplomats are quoted by news agencies as saying up to 100 people have been killed in the unrest.
Tensions erupted earlier this month when the government shut down a television station run by Rajoelina, a decision that was recently reversed.
The French news agency says other opposition leaders are now publicly backing Rajoelina, including Jean Lahiniriko, a former ally of the president.
The international community is urging talks between the president and the mayor.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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