The most recent explosion in Antananarivo, which occurred Sept. 16, appears to have killed the bombmaker during the construction of an improvised explosive device. Other explosions in Antananarivo involved devices made of identical materials and occurred in areas frequented by foreigners. On Sept. 5, for example, two such devices were planted along the city's central avenue, outside the Tana Plaza Hotel and the Institut Francais. The device at the Institut Francais was discovered and defused, while the device outside the hotel exploded but failed to cause considerable damage or any casualties. A previously unknown group calling itself Defenders of National Sovereignty claimed responsibility for the attacks and demanded an end to foreign involvement in the upcoming presidential election. On Sept. 6, another device exploded outside the Bank of Africa branch across the street from the Tana Plaza Hotel, but again caused no casualties or serious damage.