Madagascar's army seizes power after protests against president

Nairobi [Kenya], October 15: Madagascar's military said on Tuesday it has seized power following weeks of protests against the fugitive president, Andry Rajoelina.
The constitution has been suspended and a presidential council made up of members of the army and gendarmerie has been established, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the CAPSAT special forces unit, said in front of the presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo.
"We have taken the power," Randrianirina announced. He said a prime minister would be appointed, who will soon form a civilian government.
Shortly before the military's announcement, members of the National Assembly voted to impeach Rajoelina, who has fled the country. The lawmakers called for Madagascar's Constitutional Court to determine the validity of the vote.
The military unit had already declared over the weekend that it had taken control of the island nation's land, air and naval forces.
Numerous soldiers joined the young people who had been demonstrating for weeks, primarily for better living conditions. The president's office described the move as an attempted coup.
President in hiding Earlier on Tuesday, Rajoelina announced on X that he had dissolved the National Assembly by decree to "restore order." Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko questioned the legality of Rajoelina's dissolution of parliament.
Rajoelina's current whereabouts are unknown. In a live video address on Monday evening, he said he had to go to a "safe place" to protect his life.
Source: Qatar Tribune