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The military leadership has declared the suspension of several key institutions, including the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the High Court of Justice, and the High Council for the Defence of Human Rights and the Rule of Law, according to their official statement.
In a significant development, military chief Michael Randrianirina joined demonstrators in the capital city, Antananarivo, to announce that the armed forces were seizing control of Madagascar. Source: AP / Brian Inganga
The island nation, located off the southern coast of Africa, faced a day filled with upheaval. Its 51-year-old leader, whose current location remains undisclosed, had earlier attempted to disband the lower house through a decree.
Randrianirina, who commands the elite CAPSAT military unit that was instrumental in the 2009 coup led by Rajoelina, recently distanced himself from the leader.
Amidst the chaos, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, now in hiding, addressed the nation through a video message from an undisclosed location. Source: AP / Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar
The anger mirrored recent protests against ruling elites elsewhere, including Nepal and Morocco.
Protesters celebrate in the streets
Earlier on Tuesday, at Antananarivo’s May 13 Square, along the main drag lined with palm trees and French colonial buildings, thousands of protesters danced, marched, sang and waved banners denouncing Rajoelina as a French stooge because of his dual citizenship and support from Madagascar’s former coloniser.
Protesters took to the streets of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, to celebrate. Source: AP / Brian Inganga
Many were waving Malagasy flags and the signature gen Z protest banner of a skull and crossbones from the Japanese One Piece anime series.
