Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina is reportedly in hiding after a failed assassination attempt. In a recent Facebook broadcast, Rajoelina claimed he is sheltering in a “safe place,” stating that a conspiracy involving military personnel and politicians was behind the assassination plot. He did not disclose his specific location, but there are unverified reports suggesting he may have fled the country aboard a French military aircraft.
This situation arises amidst widespread protests demanding Rajoelina’s resignation, primarily led by young demonstrators. Over the past two weeks, these protests intensified, leading to Rajoelina dismissing his entire government in an attempt to appease the dissent. Despite these measures, dissatisfaction with his administration over issues like high unemployment, corruption, and poor living conditions has persisted. The protests, initially sparked by discontent with ongoing water and power shortages, have escalated into broader demands for governmental changes.
Reports indicate that military units, specifically CAPSAT, which previously supported Rajoelina’s rise to power, have declared themselves in control of the armed forces and some officers have joined protesters. The new Chief of Army Staff, General Demosthene Pikulas, has made assurances that security forces are cooperating to maintain order.
Some members of Rajoelina’s inner circle have reportedly fled to neighboring Mauritius, and plans for impeachment proceedings against Rajoelina are being formed by the opposition party TIM for “abandonment of post.”
In addition to these political upheavals, violence during the protests has reportedly led to casualties, with at least 22 people killed and over 100 injured according to UN estimates, though the government contests these numbers. Madagascar continues to face significant socio-economic challenges, with around 75% of its population living below the poverty line.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkzyek0jxro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss