Madagascar minister resigns after civilians shot

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar: Madagascar's defense minister resigned in protest Monday after security forces fired on anti-government demonstrators over the weekend, killing at least 25 people.
In a statement Monday, she said her upbringing and faith could not allow her to accept "that the blood of my countrymen be spilled."
The island off the east coast of Africa has been shaken in recent weeks by a political struggle between President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, who was ousted as the mayor of the capital shortly after he told a rally he was in charge of the country.
Police fired on thousands of Rajoelina's supporters Saturday when a protest that started at a central square where he regularly leads rallies turned violent outside a presidential palace that he said belonged to the city. Rajoelina was not with the protesters at the time.
National police spokesman Lala Rakotonirina said at least 25 people were killed and 167 wounded.

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Monday's resignation by the defense minister, Cecile Manorohanta, points to cracks in support for the president, whom Rajoelina has accused of misspending public money and threatening the nation's young democracy.
"The role of the security forces is to defend the people and their well-being," Manorohanta said Monday. "I have decided I can no longer play a part in this government."
The shootings follow protests last month by Rajoelina's supporters that sparked riots and looting sprees that left dozens dead.
Authorities announced Sunday they had issued arrest warrants for those held responsible for political violence. Names were not released. The government has not moved to arrest Rajoelina. He met Monday with a U.N. envoy who urged the two sides to talk out their differences.
The envoy, Haile Menkerios, told reporters outside Rajoelina's home that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was urging the rivals to seek "legal and peaceful solutions." Haile, who met with Ravalomanana earlier Monday, said Ban was ready to help mediate.
Rajoelina told reporters he was prepared to negotiate, but only if the goal was a transitional government or early elections. The next scheduled election is in 2011.
At 34, Rajoelina is, according to the constitution, six years too young to be president.
Ravalomanana won re-election in 2006, though two opposition candidates tried to challenge the vote's validity. He first became president after a disputed 2001 election.
Madagascar was once socialist, but it has followed privatization and economic liberalization policies since the mid-1990s. Most of the population lives in poverty.

The Associated Press | http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/09/africa/AF-Madagascar.php
Published: February 9, 2009