EU and US concerned about Madagascar protest clashes

The European Union and the United States have voiced concern over the "disproportionate use of force" to disperse opposition protests in Madagascar, amid tensions ahead of presidential elections.

Last week, the country's top court ordered the vote to be postponed by a week to 16 November, after a presidential candidate was injured during one of the many rallies organised in the Indian Ocean island over the past fortnight.

In a joint statement, representatives of the EU, US and seven other countries and international organisations including France, Germany and Japan, said they were "worried" about the "tense political climate" in Madagascar.

The United Nations has also recently expressed concern over the "deteriorating human rights situation" in the country.

Eleven out of 13 opposition candidates have been protesting against what they call an "institutional coup" to keep President Andry Rajoelina in power.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

Image via AFP.