Madagascans Return To Protest After Clashes

Thousands of Madagascan opposition supporters returned to the streets on Monday to protest against the president and a deadly crackdown by security forces on demonstrations.

Antananarivo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Apr, 2018 ) :Thousands of Madagascan opposition supporters returned to the streets on Monday to protest against the president and a deadly crackdown by security forces on demonstrations.

Two people were killed and at least 16 people wounded at protests in the capital Antananarivo on Saturday that President Hery Rajaonarimampianina denounced as an attempted coup. Large crowds gathered on Monday to honour the victims, parading quietly pass two coffins that were placed in May 13 square, the symbolic heart of the capital Antananarivo.

As on Sunday, security forces had banned access to the square in the city centre during the morning before withdrawing to allow the protesters to gather peacefully.

"To avoid violent clashes, which could cause great damage between Madagascans, we chose to leave the place we had previously protected," Defence Minister General Beni Xavier Rasolofonirina told reporters.

But he warned the protesters that the police would "never accept any state institution established outside the election process, because that is what is consistent with the constitution." The demonstrators have been protesting against new electoral laws that the opposition claim could bar some candidates from standing in upcoming presidential elections.

The large Indian Ocean island, which has been beset by decades of political instability, is due to hold polls in late November or December.