Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia is closely following the developments in Madagascar and hopes that bloodshed will be avoided after the armed forces took power in their own hands after weeks of youth protests, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
The demonstrations in Madagascar began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages and quickly turned into riots due to wider dissatisfaction with corruption, mismanagement and the lack of basic services.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced yesterday that he was taking power and that a military committee would govern the country for up to two years together with a transitional government, after which new elections would be organized.
„We are following the developments in Madagascar with "concern," Zakharova told reporters in Moscow.
"We believe that what is happening is an internal matter for this country. We call for restraint and the avoidance of bloodshed," she said, expressing Moscow's hope that Madagascar "will return to the path of democratic development" as soon as possible.