Madagascar's defense minister has resigned, after the deaths of at least 28 people during anti-government protests Saturday.
Cecile
Manorohanta said Monday, that she can no longer be a part of the
government, and extends her condolences to the families of those killed
in the protests.
More than 200 other people were wounded Saturday when presidential guards started shooting into a crowd of marchers.
The government has named the chief of military staff, Mamy Ranaivoniarivo, as Madagascar's new defense minister.
Opposition
leader Andry Rajoelina has vowed to continue demonstrations that began
last month. Rajoelina accuses President Marc Ravalomanana of being too
authoritarian.
The African Union said Monday it is sending an
envoy to Madagascar, former Ivory Coast Foreign Affairs Minister Amara
Essy, in an effort to calm the situation.
Sunday, thousands
gathered in a gymnasium to mourn the victims of Saturday's violence,
which took place as marchers approached the presidential palace.
U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement deploring the violence
and what he calls lack of restraint. He has also sent an envoy, Haile
Menkerios.
More than 100 people have been killed during anti-government protests since the demonstrations began about two weeks ago.
Last
week, government officials fired Rajoelina from his post as mayor of
the capital, Antananarivo. Rajoelina rejected the move and appealed to
both the Constitutional Court and parliament to remove the president
from office.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
