An elite military unit in Madagascar claims it has seized power, ousting President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests over chronic service cuts on the Indian Ocean island.
Speaking outside the presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the chief of the CAPSAT unit, announced that the military would form a government and hold elections within two years. He also confirmed the suspension of key democratic institutions, including the electoral commission.
CAPSAT, the Personnel Administration and Technical and Administrative Services Corps, is considered the most powerful military unit in the country. It was a key supporter of Mr. Rajoelina when he first came to power in 2009, but recently joined the anti-government demonstrations that began over issues like chronic water and power cuts.
Colonel Randrianirina, whose unit’s move prompted celebrations by troops and thousands of protesters in the streets, stated that the youth-led demonstrators would be part of the changes, as the movement was “created in the streets so we have to respect their demands.”
The country’s constitutional court has since named Col Randrianirina as the new leader. However, the president’s office released a statement denouncing the action as an “attempted coup d’etat” and maintained that Mr. Rajoelina was still in charge. The President’s current whereabouts are unknown, though he claims to be sheltering in a “safe place” following an alleged attempt on his life.
The United States Department of State has since urged all sides “to pursue a peaceful solution in line with the constitutional order.”
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