Madagascar protest kills one, wounds 17
Africa
ANTANANARIVO, April 22, (Agencies): One person died and 17 others were injured Saturday in clashes between Madagascar’s security forces and thousands of opposition activists protesting against new election laws ahead of a vote later this year in the restive island nation.
Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana said in an address on state television that the country faced a “sad” day with the loss of a life during the demonstrations.
“According to the official report, there is one death and 17 wounded,” he said.
Earlier, Olivat Alison Aimee Rakoto, head of the public hospital HJRA in Antananarivo, had told AFP that they had attended to “17 wounded ..., one of whom succumbed to his wounds”. He did not specify if the injured were protesters or police.
The premier said an investigation had been launched “to shed light on the cause of this death.”
“We must now get rid of our habits of looking for solutions through violence,” he said.
FNDU to contest polls:
Mauritania’s opposition says it will contest upcoming legislative and municipal elections after previously boycotting votes in the country.
The National Forum for Democracy and Unity (FNDU), seen as a radical opposition grouping, has declined to participate in a number of votes against President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and his government, but said it would take part in the elections slated for August or September.
Nurses end strike:
Zimbabwean nurses have called off a strike against poor working conditions and will return to work on Monday, a nurses union said on Sunday.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga last week announced the sacking of 16,000 striking nurses, accusing them of a “politically motivated” walkout.
Zimbabwe National Union (ZINA) said on Saturday that the strike by its members had become “politicized”.
“To pave way for the re-opening of negotiations and protection of our workers, we have decided to call off the industrial action,” ZINA said in a statement, calling on its members to report for duty by Monday.