MADAGASCAR’S ARMY moved to topple president Marc Ravalomanana from power yesterday, storming his offices in the capital with armoured vehicles.
Mr Ravalomanana, who won power seven years ago, was holed up at the presidential palace about eight miles outside the capital, where hundreds of supporters were reported to be ready to protect him. As darkness fell on the streets of Antananarivo, explosions lit the night sky and gunfire was heard as soldiers loyal to opposition leader Andry Rajoelina smashed through the gates of the presidential compound.
“I can confirm that we have taken presidential buildings in the city,” said Col Noel Rakotonandrasana, leader of a rebellion within Madagascar’s armed forces, speaking by telephone.
Army chief of staff Col Andre Ndriarijaona said his forces had thrown their support behind Mr Rajoelina who, at the weekend, declared he had taken power and ordered Mr Ravalomanana’s arrest following weeks of political confrontation that has left more than 100 people dead.
“We are there for the Malagasy people. If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him,” said Col Ndriarijaona, who replaced the previous army chief of staff after last week’s mutiny. “I would say 99 per cent of the forces are behind him.” Although Mr Ravalomanana has not been forced from office, the opposition appears to have seized many official buildings.
Mr Ravalomanana says the demands for him to relinquish power are unconstitutional and Mr Rajoelina’s movement uses “fear and repression to survive”. But he is isolated despite a coterie of supporters who have armed themselves with rudimentary weapons such as wooden clubs.
Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former disc jockey who moved against the government after he was sacked as the capital’s mayor in February, announced the creation of a two-year interim government before elections are held.
Mr Ravalomanana had proposed a referendum on his rule after public outrage over a massacre of 28 civilian protesters when the army was ordered to open fire on an anti-government demonstration in February. But the opposition rejected the referendum and issued a warrant for Mr Ravalomanana’s arrest for allegedly violating the constitution, including hiring mercenaries to prop up his government.
Foreign envoys are desperately trying to broker negotiations between the warring parties.
Last week, the US ambassador to Madagascar, Niels Marquardt, warned the country was on the verge of civil war.
As Antananarivo’s mayor, Mr Rajoelina organised protests against rising food prices and government graft. He brought tens of thousands of people on to the streets, resulting in violent confrontations with government forces. Both men claim to be on the side of democracy. But with Rajoelina’s rejection of a referendum, Madagascar’s ongoing turmoil threatens to bring the Indian Ocean island to its knees.