MADAGASCAR: Thousands protest ‘election fraud’

Madagascan security forces have fired tear gas to break up a protest by supporters of losing presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana, who claims he was denied victory in last month’s election because of fraud. In the run-off vote on December 19, Ravalomanana won 44 percent against Andry Rajoelina’s 55 percent, according to official results. Thousands of […]

Madagascan security forces have fired tear gas to break up a protest by supporters of losing presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana, who claims he was denied victory in last month’s election because of fraud. In the run-off vote on December 19, Ravalomanana won 44 percent against Andry Rajoelina’s 55 percent, according to official results.

Thousands of Ravalomanana’s supporters gathered in the centre of the capital Antananarivo on Wednesday, but were quickly dispersed by police using tear gas, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.