Soldiers pledge to seize national TV in Madagascar, presidency reports, amid alerts of coup attempt
Military members have warned to seize the national TV headquarters in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to make statement to the nation, his office confirms, amid unconfirmed accounts that he has left the country.
A French military plane is believed to have airlifted Rajoelina from the African island to an secret location, following a 14 days of national rallies intended to kicking him from power.
His ineffective attempts to calm young protesters - called "Gen Z Mada" - saw him fire his entire government and make other concessions to without success.
On Sunday, his office said an endeavor was ongoing to force him from power. He has not been spotted in visible since Wednesday.
Rajoelina's arranged address to the nation has been put off several times - it was initially scheduled at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).
Over the weekend, a influential army division - referred to as CAPSAT - that assisted establish Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to challenge him by declaring itself in charge of all the armed forces, while several of its personnel aligned with activists on the avenues of the capital, Antananarivo.
Subsequent to a meeting of army officers on Monday, the new Chief of Army Staff appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the people that the armed services were collaborating to maintain order in the country.
By Monday late afternoon, the commander was at state TV headquarters working to resolve the emergency, according to a statement from the administration.
Talking on understanding of privacy, a top leader in Madagascar's major rival party informed that Madagascar was now effectively being managed by CAPSAT.
The TIM party has furthermore stated it aims to bring impeachment proceedings against Rajoelina for "desertion of office".
Several of Rajoelina's inner circle have escaped to adjacent Mauritius. They include ex- Cabinet Head Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
In spite of its abundant raw materials, Madagascar is among the most impoverished countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there live below the impoverishment threshold, while statistics shows about one-third of residents have availability to electricity.
The rallies started over anger with frequent water and power cuts, then intensified to represent more extensive discontent with Rajoelina's government over significant unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.
At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the initial days of the demonstrations, although the authorities has denied these statistics.
Witnesses report police opening fire on demonstrators with real bullets. In an instance, a newborn succumbed from respiratory issues after being affected by tear gas.
Madagascar has been impacted by numerous protests since it achieved independence in 1960, encompassing mass demonstrations in 2009 that compelled then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina ushered into office.
Being just 34 at the moment, Rajoelina became Africa's youngest leader - proceeding to rule for four years, then coming back to power again after the 2018 election.
Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, earlier than joining politics, had established himself for himself as an business owner and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company in the process.
But his well-dressed, youthful attraction quickly diminished, as claims of nepotism and entrenched corruption became persistent.
More on Madagascar's emergency:
- About the Gen Z activists who seek to force Madagascar's president from power
- Military officer appointed as Madagascar PM to suppress Gen Z demonstrations