On Monday, the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, witnessed protests led by the country's opposition. Supporters were called to march on the central May 13 square. Anti-riot security forces arrived to control the situation.
The protests followed a complicated political situation, which emerged in Madagascar ahead of presidential elections.
President Andry Rajoelina resigned last month in accordance with the constitution in order to run for re-election.
Presidential powers were to be tranferred to Herimanana Razafimahefa, head of the country's Senate, the upper chamber of the country's parliament. However, according to the country's top court, he declined for "personal reasons", leaving the task to a "collegial government" led by Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, an ally of Rajoelina. The court approved the decision.
Eleven of the 13 presidential candidates have described it as an "institutional coup" to favor the incumbent, Rajoelina.
For his part, Madagascar's outgoing president and candidate for re-election Rajoelina, denounced the actions of the 11 opposition candidates, whom he accused of creating a new political crisis "from scratch".
In September, the Constitutional Court court revealed the list of 13 approved candidates for the upcoming polls, which includes the latest president and two former presidents Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
Have a look at Sputnik Africa's gallery to see the current situation in Madagascar.