Madagascar: Police disperse political rally in Antananarivo January 2 /update 9

Event

Security forces in Antananarivo used tear gas to disperse a banned political rally hosted by supporters of former President Marc Ravalomanana on Wednesday, January 2. Local reports state Ravalomanana supporters staged a demonstration at Place du 13 Mai to protest alleged irregularities in the December 19 presidential election; Ravalomanana lost to Andry Rajoelina in the second-round run-off vote. A heightened security presence is expected in central Antananarivo as political groups threaten to stage additional demonstrations.

Context

Thousands of Ravalomanana supporters staged a demonstration on December 29 in Antananarivo amid allegations of voting irregularities in the December 19 run-off elections and to demand election officials reject the results of the presidential elections. Organizers also threatened to launch demonstrations "every day" from January 2 until the high court addresses voter fraud claims.

Madagascar's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced the full provisional results of the presidential election on December 27. According to the initial results, former President Andry Rajoelina secured 55 percent of the vote over Ravalomanana, who obtained over 44 percent. The High Constitutional Court (HCC) will have up to nine days to confirm the provisional results.

Advice

Individuals in Madagascar are advised to monitor local media, avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence, and refrain from discussing domestic political issues in public.