The Madagascan military has resorted to tear gas to disperse thousands protesters loyal to former president Marc Ravalomanana in Antananarivo. The demonstrators gathered on Saturday in the Indian Ocean island's capital to protest against opposition leader Andry Rajoelina's rise to power. Organizers had earlier called for a general strike on Monday and a tax boycott as part of the protest which has been going on for days.
The protests began after former disc jockey Rajoelina, backed by the army, unseated president Ravalomanana and took power as the interim head of state. Upon assuming power Rajoelina, who is two years too young to be president according to the country's constitution, promised to hold elections in two years.
Ravalomanana is currently in Swaziland, where the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will meet on Monday to discuss possible sanctions against Madagascar.
ADC has condemned Rajoelina's arrival to power as "unconstitutional" and is refusing to recognize him as interim president, as is much of the international community. The African Union has suspended Madagascar's membership.