Antananarivo city mayor, Mr. Rajoelina, held daily rallies along the streets, lambasting Mr. Ravalomanana as a millionaire dictator more interested in his own business empire than the needs of Madagascar’s impoverished citizenry. On Jan. 26, 2009, at the conclusion of a rally, protesters set fire to factories and stores belonging to Mr. Ravalomanana.
On Feb. 7, with thousands attending his latest protest, Mr. Rajoelina announced that Roindefo Monja, a politician from Tulear, would become prime minister of his “transitional government.” A first cordon of anti-riot police retreated as the protesters advanced, but security forces inside the palace suddenly opened fire killing 28 and wounding 212.
On March 18, Rajoelina became Madagascar’s acting president.
