Madagascar

Security forces evict Rajoelina supporters from occupied ministries

Article published on the 2009-02-20 Latest update 2009-02-20 16:17 TU

Rajoelina's supporters demonstrate this week
(Photo: Reuters)

Security forces in Madagascar have evicted supporters of opposition leader Andy Rajoelina from four ministries that they had occupied on Thursday. Armed guards were patrolling the buildings Friday, after an overnight operation which appears to have passed off without casualties.

Sporadic gunfire was heard at about 3.30 am, as the government buildings were cleared.

About 5,000 oppositionists later gathered in the central square of the capital, Antananarivo, but dispersed peacefully.

On Thursday Rajoelina supporters entered the Ministries of The Interior, Security, Education and Planning, claiming that they were installing ministers of an adminstration they have formed to rival the government of President Marc Ravolamanana.

They shut themselves in and changed the locks. Opposition supporters had been picketing the minstries since Monday.

Ravolamanana on Thursday appointed former Antananarivo police chief Rabenja Sehenoarisoa Interior Minister to replace Gervais Rakotonirina.

An official statement said that Rakotonirina was leaving the post for health reasons but added that the move aimed to "ensure adequate security in the country".