ANTANANARIVO: The head of the opposition to Madagascar's government took to the streets Saturday, declaring himself the nation's leader after a week of violence and looting that killed at least 83 people and wounded more than 300.
Andry Rajoelina, mayor of the capital city of Antananarivo, called on supporters to demand the resignation of President Marc Ravalomanana and said he plans to give orders until a transition government can be established.
He called on workers in the island nation off of Africa's southeastern coast to stay away from work and make the capital a "ghost town" until Ravalomanana steps down, according to a statement from the government.
Meanwhile, Ravalomanana was traveling the country Saturday, surveying damage from the looting and telling citizens that he remains in charge.
"We must monitor the troublemakers so that the rule of law is observed in Madagascar," he said during a visit to the island of Nosy Be. "The general consensus is that the unrest is caused by people who came suddenly from nowhere and incited the panic. We respect the constitution and the law, and will not be people who destabilize our nation by vandalism and looting."
Violence in Madagascar began Monday, when protesters stormed state-run television and radio stations in Antananarivo. Hours earlier, the government had shut down a radio station owned by Rajoelina and, weeks ago, had similarly shut down Rajoelina's television station after it aired an interview with ex-President Didier Ratsiraka.
Source: CNN