Soldiers pledge to seize national TV in Madagascar, leader's administration reports, amid alerts of power grab
Military members have declared intention to occupy the state TV building in Madagascar as Leader Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to address the nation, his administration confirms, amid unofficial information that he has left the country.
A foreign military plane is said to have evacuated Rajoelina from the African island to an unknown location, following a two weeks of nationwide demonstrations intended to ousting him from power.
His unsuccessful efforts to appease young protesters - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his whole government and make other concessions to without success.
On Sunday, his staff said an endeavor was in progress to pressure him from power. He has not been spotted in open since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's scheduled speech to the nation has been delayed several times - it was first due at 1900 Madagascar time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a powerful army force - known as CAPSAT - that helped install Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to undermine him by proclaiming itself in command of all the armed forces, while several of its members joined demonstrators on the roads of the capital, Antananarivo.
After a meeting of defense leaders on Monday, the recently appointed Armed Forces Leader installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the people that the military were cooperating to maintain peace in the island nation.
By Monday night, the general was at state TV headquarters trying to resolve the crisis, according to a announcement from the presidential office.
Speaking on basis of privacy, a senior leader in Madagascar's biggest rival party told that Madagascar was now effectively being governed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has additionally announced it aims to bring dismissal proceedings against Rajoelina for "abandonment of post".
Numerous of Rajoelina's top advisors have departed to close Mauritius. They comprise previous Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Despite its rich raw materials, Madagascar is counted as the most impoverished countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there reside below the poverty line, while statistics shows approximately one-third of individuals have access to electricity.
The rallies began over anger with ongoing water and power interruptions, then intensified to demonstrate broader dissatisfaction with Rajoelina's government over significant unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.
At least 22 individuals were lost their lives and more than 100 wounded in the opening days of the rallies, although the administration has rejected these figures.
Observers report security officers using weapons on demonstrators with real bullets. In one case, a newborn died from smoke inhalation after being exposed to tear gas.
Madagascar has been rocked by several protests since it achieved independence in 1960, encompassing mass rallies in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to step down and saw Rajoelina placed into office.
At the age of just 34 at the period, Rajoelina became Africa's most youthful leader - proceeding to rule for four years, then coming back to power a second time after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was coming from wealth and, before entering politics, had established himself for himself as an businessman and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company along the way.
But his sharp-suited, baby-faced charm soon waned, as allegations of nepotism and established corruption became unshakeable.
Additional information about Madagascar's situation:
- Behind the Gen Z activists who aim to pressure Madagascar's president from power
- Military commander named as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z rallies