Armed forces pledge to take over government TV in Madagascar, presidential office announces, amid concerns of power grab
Armed forces have declared intention to seize the government TV headquarters in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was expected to make statement to the nation, his staff reports, amid unconfirmed information that he has fled the country.
A foreign military plane is reported to have evacuated Rajoelina from the African island to an secret location, following a two weeks of countrywide rallies intended to removing him out of power.
His failed endeavors to placate young protesters - labeled "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his complete government and make further agreements to no avail.
On Sunday, his administration said an attempt was in progress to push him out of power. He has not been spotted in visible since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's arranged address to the nation has been put off multiple times - it was initially scheduled at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a significant army division - called CAPSAT - that helped establish Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to weaken him by proclaiming itself in charge of all the military, while some of its officers supported protesters on the roads of the main city, Antananarivo.
Subsequent to a conference of defense commanders on Monday, the recently appointed Chief of Army Staff designated by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the citizens that the armed services were working together to preserve order in the island nation.
By Monday evening, the general was at national TV headquarters attempting to address the situation, according to a announcement from the presidential office.
Speaking on basis of privacy, a top leader in Madagascar's largest rival party told that Madagascar was now essentially being governed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has also announced it intends to bring dismissal actions against Rajoelina for "abandonment of office".
Multiple of Rajoelina's close associates have fled to nearby Mauritius. They comprise ex- Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Regardless of its abundant 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 just over one-third of individuals have opportunity to electricity.
The protests started over dissatisfaction with repeated water and power outages, then increased to demonstrate wider unhappiness with Rajoelina's administration over high unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.
At least 22 civilians were fatally injured and more than 100 hurt in the first few days of the protests, although the administration has rejected these figures.
Witnesses report law enforcement shooting on protesters with lethal rounds. In one case, a newborn died from breathing problems after being exposed to tear gas.
Madagascar has been impacted by several uprisings since it gained independence in 1960, including extensive demonstrations in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina ushered into office.
Aged just 34 at the time, Rajoelina became Africa's most youthful leader - proceeding to rule for four years, then returning to power once more after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, prior to pursuing politics, had built reputation for himself as an businessman and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company along the way.
But his well-dressed, youthful attraction quickly waned, as accusations of favoritism and established corruption became unshakeable.
More on Madagascar's situation:
- About the Gen Z demonstrators who aim to compel Madagascar's leader from power
- Army commander appointed as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z rallies