A powerful insurrectionary military unit of Madagascarthe Army Personnel and Services Administration Corps (CAPSAT), announced this Tuesday the suppression of the Constitution and the seizure of power in this island country in the southeast of Africa.
“We are going to assume our responsibilities, we are going to take power,” CAPSAT leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina told the media at the Ambotsirohitra Palace, the headquarters of the Presidency in the capital. Antananarivo.
“In the face of repeated violations of the Constitution, the failure to respect human rights and the looting of the nation, a council composed of the Army, the Gendarmerie and the National Police will assume the functions of the head of State, which may be joined by civilian members in a few days,” he explained. RANDRIANIRINA.
According to the official, this council will have a maximum period of two years to “rebuild the foundations of the nation” and, within this transition process, “a constitutional referendum will be held.”
Likewise, the leader of CAPSAT announced the suspension of the activities of the Senate, the Constitutional Court and the Superior Court of Justice, although he assured that the National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) will continue to exercise its functions.
The announcement came shortly after the National Assembly voted to remove the Malagasy president, Andry Rajoelinawho fled to a “safe place” after the serious political crisis unleashed by the popular protests that have shaken the country since September 25.
In the session, in which 131 of the 163 deputies participated, 130 voted in favor of the dismissal, according to the vice president of the Chamber, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, despite the fact that the president had issued a decree this Tuesday to dissolve the institution.
Rajoelina, who on Monday confirmed having fled to a “safe place” to protect her life – without specifying her whereabouts, although hinting that she could be outside the country – signed the decree in an attempt to prevent the vote promoted by the opposition to force her out of power.
However, Randrianasoloniaiko maintained that the decree lacks legal validity as it does not have the official seal or the president’s signature.
President Rajoelina denounced coup attempt
The Malagasy Presidency denounced an attempted coup d’état on Sunday after groups of soldiers joined thousands of anti-government protesters on Saturday.
That same day, CAPSAT claimed to have assumed control of the Armed Forces.
After calling to “disobey” any order to open fire on the population, units of this military unit aboard armored vehicles joined the massive demonstrations in Antananarivo.
CAPSAT already participated in a coup d’état in 2009 that overthrew the then president, Marc Ravalomananaand allowed Rajoelina to come to power for the first time.
Although they initially arose to protest against the recurring water and electricity cuts, the mobilizations, promoted by young people from generation Z, became anti-government and now demanded the resignation of Rajoelina, whose proposal for national dialogue was rejected by the organizers.
Inspired by recent youth mobilizations in countries such as Kenia and Nepal, these protests are the worst that the Indian Ocean island has experienced in years.
