An elite military unit, CAPSAT, has announced that it has taken over power in Madagascar.
CAPSAT commander, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, made this known on Tuesday as he read out a statement announcing the suspension of the constitution outside the country’s presidential palace.
The military takeover marks the latest development in the series of political upheavals that have rocked the East African nation after parliamentarians voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of anti-government protests.
The soldiers had joined the demonstrators over the weekend in demanding Rajoelina’s resignation, Naijaonpoint reports.
Earlier reports disclosed that Rajoelina, who had not been seen in public since last Wednesday, had fled the country amidst intensifying protests calling for his resignation.
He was scheduled to address the nation at 17:30 GMT on Monday, but postponed it due to a threat from soldiers to seize state television, as cited by the presidency.
Leader of the opposition in parliament, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, told Reuters that Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday after units of the army defected and joined the protesters.
Following the military takeover of government in Madagascar, Randrianirina said a governing committee composed of officers from the army, gendarmerie and national police would be established.
He added that “perhaps in time it will include senior civilian advisers,” noting their plans to hand over to the civilians after a while.
“It is this committee that will carry out the work of the presidency,” Randrianirina said.
“At the same time, after a few days, we will set up a civilian government.”
“We have taken power,” he confirmed to AFP.
After the declaration of a military takeover, the officers from the unit rolled through the capital in armoured Humvees and pick-up trucks en route to their base, where hundreds of soldiers stood in formation to receive them.
Citizen Reaction
Members of the public were in a jubilant mood as they lined the pavements, cheering and waving as the military convoy passed, while some followed the convoy in their own cars, honking their horns in a victory lap through a city still on edge.
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