Military personnel pledge to take over state TV in Madagascar, presidency announces, amid concerns of power grab
Soldiers have threatened to seize the state TV headquarters in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was due to make statement to the nation, his staff confirms, amid unofficial reports that he has left the country.
A foreign military plane is said to have transported Rajoelina from the island island to an undisclosed location, following a 14 days of nationwide protests designed to ousting him out of power.
His failed endeavors to appease young activists - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his entire government and make other agreements to no avail.
On Sunday, his administration said an attempt was under way to push him out of power. He has not been seen in public since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's arranged address to the nation has been put off numerous times - it was first due at 1900 Madagascar time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a significant army unit - referred to as CAPSAT - that supported place Rajoelina in power in 2009 acted to undermine him by declaring itself in charge of all the army, while some of its personnel aligned with activists on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo.
Subsequent to a gathering of military commanders on Monday, the current Armed Forces Leader designated by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, promised the citizens that the military were cooperating to preserve order in the state.
By Monday late afternoon, the commander was at government TV building working to address the situation, according to a communication from the presidency.
Talking on understanding of privacy, a top official in Madagascar's largest competing party told that Madagascar was now effectively being run by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has additionally announced it intends to bring dismissal procedures against Rajoelina for "neglect of office".
Multiple of Rajoelina's top advisors have escaped to adjacent Mauritius. They comprise previous Cabinet Head Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Regardless of its rich natural resources, Madagascar is counted as the most impoverished countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there live below the impoverishment threshold, while data shows about one-third of people have opportunity to electricity.
The rallies commenced over dissatisfaction with repeated water and power cuts, then increased to demonstrate broader discontent with Rajoelina's government over elevated unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.
At least 22 civilians were lost their lives and over 100 hurt in the opening days of the demonstrations, although the administration has rejected these statistics.
Witnesses detail police shooting on protesters with lethal rounds. In a particular situation, a newborn died from respiratory issues after being exposed to tear gas.
Madagascar has been impacted by several uprisings since it achieved independence in 1960, comprising large-scale demonstrations in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina brought into office.
At the age of just 34 at the moment, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - proceeding to govern for four years, then returning to power once more after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was coming from wealth and, before joining politics, had built reputation for himself as an businessman and DJ - establishing a radio station and an advertising company in the process.
But his stylish, young-looking appeal rapidly declined, as claims of cronyism and entrenched corruption became persistent.
More on Madagascar's emergency:
- About the Gen Z protesters who seek to pressure Madagascar's head of state from power
- Military commander named as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z demonstrations