Overview

• At least 1,000 people marched in Antananarivo as security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades and armoured vehicles near Lake Anosy toward Democracy Square.
• Protest organisers rejected President Andry Rajoelina’s invitation to talks and called a general strike, with some demonstrators demanding his resignation.
• Local medical groups and reporters said several people were wounded and tear gas near a maternity ward forced staff to move premature babies to safer rooms.
• Lawyers said 28 protesters have been referred for prosecution, with five in pre-trial detention at Tsiafahy prison that Amnesty International has described as overcrowded and harsh.
• Rajoelina dismissed his cabinet and appointed military general Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as prime minister as civil society warned of militarisation and the UN’s tally of at least 22 deaths remained disputed by the president.