Madagascar's defence minister today resigned over the killing of 28 protesters by security forces and thousands of opposition supporters gathered to mourn the dead on the Indian Ocean island.
Cecile Manorohanta's resignation, on the grounds her conscience would not take the bloodshed, intensified the struggle between President Marc Ravalomanana and foes who accuse him of ruling like a dictator and failing to address poverty.
The worst violence for years has dented the island's hopes of drawing tourists and mining investment. The shooting of the protesters at the weekend brought the death toll from two weeks of unrest to more than 125.
"The task of the security forces is to defend the people and their well-being," Ms Manorohanta said in a statement after security forces opened fire on an opposition rally on Saturday outside the presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo.
"Considering certain things that are not clear and which my conscience cannot accept, I have decided to quit the government as of today."
The president's main opponent, sacked Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina (34), said protests would continue "until the end of the fight". About 5,000 of his supporters gathered in the city centre to mourn those killed on Saturday.
Vice-Admiral Ranaivoniarivo Mamy, a close military ally of the president, was named as the new defence minister.
Reuters