Armed forces pledge to seize national TV in Madagascar, leader's administration reports, amid warnings of government overthrow
Armed forces have threatened to seize the state TV headquarters in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to make statement to the nation, his staff confirms, amid unconfirmed information that he has departed from the country.
A foreign military plane is reported to have transported Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an secret location, following a fortnight of nationwide rallies designed to ousting him out of power.
His failed endeavors to calm young demonstrators - labeled "Gen Z Mada" - saw him fire his whole government and make further concessions to unsuccessfully.
On Sunday, his administration said an endeavor was under way to pressure him out of power. He has not been observed in public since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's scheduled statement to the nation has been postponed numerous times - it was initially planned at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a powerful army unit - known as CAPSAT - that assisted place Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to challenge him by proclaiming itself in control of all the military, while numerous of its officers aligned with activists on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo.
Following a meeting of army officers on Monday, the current Chief of Army Staff installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the people that the armed services were working together to keep stability in the island nation.
By Monday evening, the officer was at national TV headquarters working to resolve the emergency, according to a statement from the presidency.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a top representative in Madagascar's major rival party revealed that Madagascar was now effectively being governed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has also said it plans to bring impeachment procedures against Rajoelina for "abandonment of post".
Numerous of Rajoelina's top advisors have departed to close Mauritius. They consist of former Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Regardless of its abundant mineral wealth, Madagascar is counted as the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of residents there exist below the impoverishment threshold, while data shows just over one-third of people have opportunity to electricity.
The demonstrations started over frustration with frequent water and power outages, then increased to demonstrate wider discontent with Rajoelina's government over elevated unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.
At least 22 individuals were lost their lives and over 100 wounded in the opening days of the demonstrations, although the authorities has rejected these numbers.
Witnesses detail police using weapons on demonstrators with live ammunition. In an instance, a newborn succumbed from breathing problems after being subjected to tear gas.
Madagascar has been impacted by multiple uprisings since it achieved independence in 1960, encompassing mass demonstrations in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina placed into office.
Aged just 34 at the moment, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - proceeding to lead for four years, then resuming to power again after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, before joining politics, had built reputation for himself as an entrepreneur and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company along the way.
But his sharp-suited, youthful charm quickly diminished, as claims of cronyism and established corruption became unshakeable.
More on Madagascar's situation:
- Behind the Gen Z activists who want to pressure Madagascar's president from power
- Army general designated as Madagascar PM to suppress Gen Z protests