A colonel from an elite navy unit in Madagascar on Tuesday declared that the armed forces have been taking management of the Indian Ocean nation, hours after parliament voted to question President Andry Rajoelina, who has reportedly fled the nation amid a rising navy revolt, reported AP.Col Michael Randrianirina, chatting with reporters, mentioned the navy would set up a governing council made up of military and gendarmerie officers. He added {that a} prime minister can be appointed to “shortly” kind a civilian authorities.The announcement adopted Rajoelina's failed try and dissolve the decrease home of parliament – an obvious effort to keep away from impeachment. His precise whereabouts stay unknown after an elite navy unit joined anti-government protests and known as for his ouster. In a social media deal with Monday night time, Rajoelina mentioned he had gone to a “secure place” fearing for his life, however didn't disclose his location.The unrest marks the nation's most extreme political disaster since 2009 – when Rajoelina himself got here to energy following the same military-backed motion.Latest protests, largely led by Gen Z demonstrators, started over energy and water shortages however have expanded to incorporate wider grievances equivalent to excessive residing prices, unemployment, entry to training, and alleged corruption. Demonstrators have drawn inspiration from different youth-led protest actions in Nepal and Sri Lanka.On Tuesday, hundreds of protestors gathered in Antananarivo's central sq., persevering with their requires the president's resignation. “We don't get a continuing provide of electrical energy and water from the federal government,” mentioned protester Soavololona Faraniaina. “If Madagascan kids are finding out in darkness the place will the way forward for this nation be?”The CAPSAT unit, which additionally performed a key function in Rajoelina's rise to energy in 2009, turned in opposition to him over the weekend and now claims command of all armed forces. The unit has appointed new navy and safety chiefs, though it denied staging a coup, saying residents ought to resolve what occurs subsequent.In a pre-recorded video posted on Fb, Rajoelina urged respect for the structure and rejected calls for for his resignation. The printed was initially supposed for state TV and radio however was solely launched on-line after troopers reportedly entered the state broadcaster's places of work.Rajoelina, 51, was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023. Madagascar, a former French colony, has a historical past of military-backed transitions of energy since gaining independence in 1960.
