In brief
The military in Madagascar has taken control from President Andry Rajoelina amid widespread youth-led protests demanding political change. The military’s leader, Col Michael Randrianirina, announced plans for a new government and elections while tensions surrounding Rajoelina’s whereabouts continue. Unrest has escalated following grievances over corruption and lack of essential services.
An elite military unit says it has seized power in Madagascar from President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests in the Indian Ocean island.
Standing outside the Presidential Palace, CAPSAT chief Col Michael Randrianirina said the military would form a government and hold elections within two years. He also suspended key democratic institutions, like the electoral commission.
Gen Z protestors will be part of the changes because the movement was created in the streets so we have to respect their demands, he added.
Troops and protesters have been celebrating the apparent ousting of President Rajoelina, with thousands cheering and waving flags in the capital, Antananarivo.
Madagascar's constitutional court has named Col Randrianirina as the country's new leader, even though a statement from the president's office said he was still in charge and denounced what it described as an attempted coup d'etat.
Rajoelina's whereabouts are unknown, but he has said he is sheltering in a safe place following an alleged attempt on his life by military personnel and politicians, which CAPSAT has denied having any involvement in. There have been unconfirmed reports that the president was flown out of the country on a French military aircraft.
Col Randrianirina told the BBC that Madagascar was a country where chaos reigns right now. Chaos because there's no president - he's gone abroad.
The unrest began just over two weeks ago after a youth-led movement began protesting against chronic water and power cuts across the country.
The demonstrations soon escalated to reflect wider dissatisfaction with Rajoelina's government over high unemployment, rampant corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Protestors clashed with security forces resulting in the death of at least 22 people and more than 100 others injured, according to the UN, although the Malagasy government has dismissed those figures.
CAPSAT, which supported Rajoelina when he came into power in 2009, joined the protestors on Saturday.
President Rajoelina attempted to dissolve the national assembly before the opposition could vote to strip him of his presidency for abandonment of post, but that didn't work, as lawmakers voted to impeach him by 130 votes to one blank ballot.
Despite the fact that power appears to have shifted away from him, he has continued to try to influence events. Rajoelina called the impeachment vote null and void. The African Union has warned against soldiers meddling in Madagascar's political affairs and rejected any attempt at unconstitutional changes of government. French President Emmanuel Macron called the situation greatly worrying.
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 75% of its 30 million people living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.
