The Constitutional Court of Madagascar has announced that after weeks of anti-government protests, it has invited Colonel Mikhail Randrianirina, who has taken over the government of the country on behalf of the army, to act as president.
According to local media reports, the Constitutional Court, Madagascar’s highest judicial body, has invited Colonel Randrianirina to act as president. President.
Following weeks of anti-government protests in Madagascar, soldiers from the Center for Personnel Management of the Ground Forces (CAPSAT) under the command of Randrianirina today entered the presidential palace and announced the seizure of power and the suspension of the constitution.
CAPSAT also played a decisive role in the 2009 military coup that led to the overthrow of then-President Marc Ravalomanana.
Demonstrations that began in late September in response to power and water cuts soon escalated into anti-government protests. Support for the protesters from some parts of the army has deepened the split in the government.
A report from French national radio RFI on October 13 claims that President Andry Rajoelina secretly left the country on a French military plane.
There has still been no official statement about Rajoelina’s whereabouts.
President Andry Rajoelina announced the dissolution of the National Assembly in the morning. However, immediately after this, the meeting convened an emergency meeting and decided to remove Rajoelina from positions.
During the demonstrations in Madagascar, 22 people have so far been killed and hundreds injured.