Razanasoa Edmondine still looks shell-shocked as she recalls the death of her one-month-old grandson, killed by police tear gas in protests that have rocked Madagascar over the last two weeks.
# It was just a normal Friday. My daughter-in-law was going to the market with the baby when they encountered demonstrators on the road, she tells the BBC at the family's home on the northern outskirts of the capital, Antananarivo.
# Not long after, police showed up and started dispersing the protest with tear gas.
# It was the second day of youth-led protests, triggered by anger over persistent power and water shortages, and Ms Edmondine's daughter-in-law ran into a nearby building with other protesters to take cover.
# Police then fired more tear gas canisters into the building, quickly filling it with choking smoke.
# With the streets in chaos, they could not get to a hospital until the following day. By then, the damage had been done.
# The baby was trying to cry but no sound came out, says Ms Edmondine softly.
# It was like something was blocking his chest. The doctor told us he had inhaled too much smoke. A couple of days later, he passed away.
# Her grandchild is one of at least 22 people the UN says were killed during clashes between police and demonstrators in the early days of the protests, which have since escalated into broader dissatisfaction over corruption, high unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis in one of the world's poorest nations.
# The protests reflect a growing discontent among Madagascar's youth over the limited access to water and electricity, compounded by a lack of viable economic opportunities. As President Andry Rajoelina faces increasing criticism, he has acknowledged the deaths but claims they resulted from rioting, not peaceful protests.
# It was just a normal Friday. My daughter-in-law was going to the market with the baby when they encountered demonstrators on the road, she tells the BBC at the family's home on the northern outskirts of the capital, Antananarivo.
# Not long after, police showed up and started dispersing the protest with tear gas.
# It was the second day of youth-led protests, triggered by anger over persistent power and water shortages, and Ms Edmondine's daughter-in-law ran into a nearby building with other protesters to take cover.
# Police then fired more tear gas canisters into the building, quickly filling it with choking smoke.
# With the streets in chaos, they could not get to a hospital until the following day. By then, the damage had been done.
# The baby was trying to cry but no sound came out, says Ms Edmondine softly.
# It was like something was blocking his chest. The doctor told us he had inhaled too much smoke. A couple of days later, he passed away.
# Her grandchild is one of at least 22 people the UN says were killed during clashes between police and demonstrators in the early days of the protests, which have since escalated into broader dissatisfaction over corruption, high unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis in one of the world's poorest nations.
# The protests reflect a growing discontent among Madagascar's youth over the limited access to water and electricity, compounded by a lack of viable economic opportunities. As President Andry Rajoelina faces increasing criticism, he has acknowledged the deaths but claims they resulted from rioting, not peaceful protests.
