Armed forces vow to seize national TV in Madagascar, presidential office reports, amid alerts of government overthrow
Military members have declared intention to occupy the national TV headquarters in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was expected to make statement to the nation, his administration reports, amid unverified reports that he has fled the country.
A foreign military jet is believed to have transported Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an unknown location, following a fortnight of nationwide demonstrations aimed at removing him out of power.
His ineffective endeavors to appease young activists - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his whole government and make further compromises to without success.
On Sunday, his office said an attempt was ongoing to force him out of power. He has not been spotted in public since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's scheduled statement to the nation has been put off multiple times - it was first due at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a powerful army division - called CAPSAT - that helped establish Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to challenge him by proclaiming itself in control of all the military, while some of its personnel joined demonstrators on the avenues of the main city, Antananarivo.
Subsequent to a conference of military officers on Monday, the new Armed Forces Leader designated by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, guaranteed the people that the military were working together to keep stability in the island nation.
By Monday evening, the commander was at national TV building working to resolve the situation, according to a statement from the presidential office.
Talking on condition of privacy, a top representative in Madagascar's biggest opposition party revealed that Madagascar was now essentially being managed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has furthermore stated it intends to bring removal procedures against Rajoelina for "desertion of position".
Numerous of Rajoelina's close associates have fled to adjacent Mauritius. They include ex- Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Regardless of its abundant raw materials, Madagascar is counted as the least wealthy countries in the world. About 75% of people there exist below the poverty line, while statistics shows just over one-third of individuals have opportunity to electricity.
The rallies started over frustration with ongoing water and power cuts, then escalated to represent broader discontent with Rajoelina's government over high unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.
At least 22 civilians were fatally injured and in excess of 100 injured in the first few days of the protests, although the authorities has rejected these numbers.
Eyewitnesses describe police using weapons on protesters with lethal rounds. In one case, a baby passed away from respiratory issues after being affected by tear gas.
Madagascar has been impacted by multiple protests since it achieved independence in 1960, comprising extensive demonstrations in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina placed into office.
At the age of just 34 at the time, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - proceeding to govern for four years, then resuming to power once more after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was coming from wealth and, prior to entering politics, had made a name for himself as an businessman and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company during this period.
But his well-dressed, youthful appeal soon waned, as allegations of cronyism and established corruption became persistent.
More on Madagascar's emergency:
- Behind the Gen Z demonstrators who seek to force Madagascar's president from power
- Military officer appointed as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z demonstrations