Soldiers pledge to take over national TV in Madagascar, presidential office says, amid alerts of coup attempt
Military members have declared intention to seize the government TV headquarters in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was expected to make statement to the nation, his office reports, amid unofficial information that he has fled the country.
A foreign military aircraft is believed to have airlifted Rajoelina from the African island to an unknown location, following a fortnight of national demonstrations intended to kicking him out of power.
His unsuccessful endeavors to calm young activists - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his entire government and make other agreements to unsuccessfully.
On Sunday, his staff said an attempt was under way to push him out of power. He has not been seen in public since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's scheduled statement to the nation has been delayed several times - it was first planned at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a influential army division - known as CAPSAT - that assisted place Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to undermine him by proclaiming itself in charge of all the armed forces, while several of its personnel aligned with demonstrators on the avenues of the capital, Antananarivo.
Following a conference of defense commanders on Monday, the recently appointed Armed Forces Leader designated by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the people that the security forces were cooperating to preserve stability in the state.
By Monday late afternoon, the officer was at national TV facilities working to resolve the emergency, according to a announcement from the presidency.
Speaking on basis of privacy, a top official in Madagascar's biggest competing party revealed that Madagascar was now essentially being governed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has also announced it aims to bring dismissal actions against Rajoelina for "neglect of position".
Multiple of Rajoelina's inner circle have departed to nearby Mauritius. They comprise former Government Leader Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Regardless of its plentiful natural resources, Madagascar is counted as the most impoverished countries in the world. About 75% of residents there reside below the economic hardship level, while data shows just over one-third of individuals have opportunity to electricity.
The protests started over frustration with frequent water and power interruptions, then increased to represent wider dissatisfaction with Rajoelina's administration over elevated unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.
At least 22 individuals were killed and in excess of 100 wounded in the initial days of the demonstrations, although the government has disputed these figures.
Observers detail security officers using weapons on demonstrators with live ammunition. In an instance, a infant succumbed from respiratory issues after being subjected to tear gas.
Madagascar has been rocked by multiple uprisings since it achieved independence in 1960, including mass protests in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina placed into office.
At the age of just 34 at the period, Rajoelina became Africa's most youthful leader - continuing to rule for four years, then coming back to power again after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, prior to pursuing politics, had established himself for himself as an businessman and DJ - establishing a radio station and an advertising company during this period.
But his sharp-suited, youthful charm quickly diminished, as claims of favoritism and deep-rooted corruption became persistent.
More on Madagascar's crisis:
- Regarding the Gen Z demonstrators who seek to compel Madagascar's leader from power
- Defense commander designated as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z rallies