Antananarivo - The showdown between Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana and the capital's mayor Andry Rajoelina continued over the weekend, after Rajoelina declared he was taking over the running of the Indian Ocean island.
Until the opposition's demands for the installation of a transition government had been met, the 34-year-old mayor said Saturday, the security forces and government ministries should take their orders from him, and not Ravalomanana.
Ravalomanana, 59, who has been in power since 2002, made clear for his part he had no intention of stepping aside after a week of unrest, in which over 100 people were killed.
Antananarivo- Around 30,000 people on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar took part in a peaceful demonstration against the government of President Marc Ravalomanana on Saturday.
The rally was organized by Andre Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital Antananarivo. Heavily armed security forces were deployed at the start but later withdrawn.
Madagascar has been the scene of recent daily protests and unrest, in which more than 100 have killed and many injured.
Washington - The United States on Thursday called for an end to violent demonstrations in Madagascar and urged the country's leaders to engage in dialogue to resolve the political dispute.
More than 80 people are believed to have died in the unrest that began on Monday following an opposition rally and strike called by Andre Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital Antananarivo, to protest what he calls President Marc Ravalomanana's growing authoritarianism.
Antananarivo - Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana on Wednesday quashed hopes for a speedy end to the standoff between him and the capital's mayor Andre Rajoelina by ruling out talks with the politician who has sorely tested his grip on power in recent days.
During a tour of the state radio station in Antananarivo that opposition protesters looted and torched following a mass rally called by Rajoelina Monday Ravalomanana said he had no intention of heeding calls by Western diplomats for the two foes to meet.
Antananarivo, Madagascar - Madagascar's army on Tuesday announced a nationwide curfew Tuesday night as security forces turned their guns on looters taking advantage of the cover provided by a spate of opposition protests to steal food and other supplies.
The curfew is in place from 9 pm until 4 am local time, the military announced at a press conference in the capital Antnanarivo with Mayor Andre Rajoelina, who has been at the forefront of the anti-government protests.
Antananarivo- Around 30,000 people on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar took part in a peaceful demonstration against the government of President Marc Ravalomanana on Saturday.
Washington - The United States on Thursday called for an end to violent demonstrations in Madagascar and urged the country's leaders to engage in dialogue to resolve the political dispute.
Antananarivo - Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana on Wednesday quashed hopes for a speedy end to the standoff between him and the capital's mayor Andre Rajoelina by ruling out talks with the politician who has sorely tested his grip on power in recent days.
Antananarivo, Madagascar - Madagascar's army on Tuesday announced a nationwide curfew Tuesday night as security forces turned their guns on looters taking advantage of the cover provided by a spate of opposition protests to steal food and other supplies.
