Military personnel threaten to seize state TV in Madagascar, leader's administration says, amid alerts of power grab
Military members have threatened to occupy the national TV building in Madagascar as Leader Andry Rajoelina was due to make statement to the nation, his staff says, amid unconfirmed accounts that he has departed from the country.
A French military aircraft is reported to have airlifted Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an unknown location, following a two weeks of nationwide rallies intended to kicking him out of power.
His ineffective attempts to placate young protesters - labeled "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his complete government and make additional concessions to unsuccessfully.
On Sunday, his administration said an attempt was ongoing to push him out of power. He has not been seen in public since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's arranged address to the nation has been put off multiple times - it was originally planned at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a influential army division - called CAPSAT - that assisted place Rajoelina in power in 2009 acted to weaken him by announcing itself in command of all the army, while some of its personnel aligned with demonstrators on the roads of the capital, Antananarivo.
Subsequent to a meeting of military officers on Monday, the current Chief of Army Staff installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, guaranteed the people that the security forces were cooperating to preserve order in the state.
By Monday late afternoon, the commander was at national TV building attempting to resolve the crisis, according to a communication from the administration.
Communicating on condition of anonymity, a high-ranking representative in Madagascar's major rival party revealed that Madagascar was now essentially being governed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has also stated it intends to bring impeachment procedures against Rajoelina for "neglect of office".
Numerous of Rajoelina's top advisors have departed to nearby Mauritius. They comprise ex- Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Regardless of its plentiful natural resources, Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of people there live below the impoverishment threshold, while information shows approximately one-third of people have availability to electricity.
The demonstrations commenced over anger with ongoing water and power outages, then increased to demonstrate more extensive discontent with Rajoelina's administration over significant unemployment, corruption, and the economic crisis.
At least 22 people were lost their lives and in excess of 100 hurt in the initial days of the demonstrations, although the administration has disputed these statistics.
Observers report law enforcement shooting on protesters with live ammunition. In an instance, a baby died from breathing problems after being exposed to tear gas.
Madagascar has been shaken by multiple uprisings since it gained independence in 1960, comprising extensive demonstrations in 2009 that compelled then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina brought into office.
Being just 34 at the period, Rajoelina became Africa's youngest leader - continuing to rule for four years, then resuming to power again after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, earlier than joining politics, had made a name for himself as an business owner and DJ - establishing a radio station and an advertising company in the process.
But his sharp-suited, young-looking appeal rapidly diminished, as allegations of cronyism and deep-rooted corruption became unshakeable.
More on Madagascar's emergency:
- Behind the Gen Z demonstrators who want to pressure Madagascar's head of state from power
- Defense general designated as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z protests