Soldiers threaten to take over state TV in Madagascar, presidential office says, amid warnings of government overthrow
Armed forces have declared intention to seize the state TV facilities in Madagascar as Leader Andry Rajoelina was expected to address the nation, his office confirms, amid unconfirmed reports that he has departed from the country.
A foreign military jet is believed to have evacuated Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an secret location, following a 14 days of countrywide protests aimed at removing him from power.
His ineffective efforts to calm young demonstrators - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him sack his whole government and make further agreements to without success.
On Sunday, his office said an attempt was under way to push him from power. He has not been spotted in open since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's arranged address to the nation has been delayed numerous times - it was initially due at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a powerful army division - known as CAPSAT - that supported install Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to weaken him by announcing itself in charge of all the military, while several of its members supported activists on the streets of the main city, Antananarivo.
After a conference of defense commanders on Monday, the recently appointed Military Commander designated by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, guaranteed the people that the military were collaborating to maintain order in the island nation.
By Monday late afternoon, the general was at government TV headquarters working to settle the crisis, according to a communication from the administration.
Talking on condition of confidentiality, a senior leader in Madagascar's largest opposition party told that Madagascar was now effectively being governed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has additionally stated it intends to bring dismissal actions against Rajoelina for "desertion of position".
Multiple of Rajoelina's inner circle have fled to adjacent Mauritius. They comprise ex- Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Despite its rich natural resources, Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of residents there live below the economic hardship level, while statistics shows approximately one-third of people have availability to electricity.
The protests started over anger with frequent water and power cuts, then increased to demonstrate wider unhappiness with Rajoelina's government over elevated unemployment, corruption, and the economic crisis.
At least 22 individuals were lost their lives and in excess of 100 wounded in the first few days of the protests, although the government has disputed these statistics.
Eyewitnesses describe security officers using weapons on protesters with lethal rounds. In an instance, a baby died from smoke inhalation after being exposed to tear gas.
Madagascar has been rocked by several rebellions since it obtained independence in 1960, encompassing extensive rallies in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina ushered 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 again after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, before pursuing politics, had built reputation for himself as an business owner and DJ - establishing a radio station and an advertising company in the process.
But his sharp-suited, baby-faced attraction soon waned, as claims of favoritism and entrenched corruption became unshakeable.
More on Madagascar's emergency:
- About the Gen Z activists who seek to compel Madagascar's president from power
- Army officer named as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z rallies