Soldiers vow to seize national TV in Madagascar, presidential office says, amid warnings of power grab
Armed forces have threatened to take control of the government TV building in Madagascar as Leader Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to make statement to the nation, his office reports, amid unofficial reports that he has departed from the country.
A international military jet is reported to have evacuated Rajoelina from the island island to an unknown location, following a two weeks of nationwide protests intended to ousting him from power.
His unsuccessful endeavors to appease young protesters - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him sack his whole government and make further concessions to no avail.
On Sunday, his staff said an effort was ongoing to pressure him out of power. He has not been spotted in visible since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's arranged address to the nation has been put off numerous times - it was initially due at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a influential army division - known as CAPSAT - that assisted place Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to undermine him by declaring itself in command of all the armed forces, while numerous of its personnel supported activists on the streets of the main city, Antananarivo.
After a meeting of defense commanders on Monday, the recently appointed Armed Forces Leader installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, guaranteed the people that the armed services were working together to preserve stability in the island nation.
By Monday evening, the officer was at national TV facilities working to resolve the situation, according to a statement from the presidency.
Talking on basis of confidentiality, a senior official in Madagascar's largest opposition party told that Madagascar was now essentially being run by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has also said it intends to bring dismissal procedures against Rajoelina for "desertion of position".
Multiple of Rajoelina's top advisors have fled to close Mauritius. They consist of former Cabinet Head Richard Ravalomanana and the businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Despite its rich raw materials, Madagascar is among the most impoverished countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there exist below the economic hardship level, while statistics shows about one-third of people have availability to electricity.
The protests commenced over anger with ongoing water and power interruptions, then escalated to demonstrate broader unhappiness with Rajoelina's regime over elevated unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.
At least 22 individuals were fatally injured and over 100 wounded in the opening days of the protests, although the authorities has rejected these numbers.
Eyewitnesses report police opening fire on demonstrators with live ammunition. In one case, a infant succumbed from smoke inhalation after being subjected to tear gas.
Madagascar has been rocked by several uprisings since it achieved independence in 1960, comprising large-scale demonstrations in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to step down and saw Rajoelina ushered into office.
Being just 34 at the period, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - continuing to govern for four years, then coming back to power a second time after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, prior to entering politics, had made a name for himself as an entrepreneur and DJ - creating a radio station and an advertising company along the way.
But his sharp-suited, young-looking charm quickly waned, as accusations of favoritism and deep-rooted corruption became ongoing.
Additional information about Madagascar's situation:
- Behind the Gen Z demonstrators who aim to force Madagascar's president from power
- Military commander named as Madagascar PM to suppress Gen Z rallies