Antananarivo, Madagascar (AP) – The military has seized control of part of the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar and apologized to President Andry Rajoelina, who has fled the country.
Here is a timeline of the major events leading up to the takeover of the former French colony on the east coast of Africa.
September 25: Youth protests erupt
Thousands of young people are angry at the endless water and electric sheets protesting against the government, encouraging crackdowns due to the security forces using tear gas and rubber bullets. The protesters are gathering the Internet under the title “Gen Z Madagascar” and their Facebook page is gathering more than 100,000 followers.
A night curfew is announced in the capital, Antananarivo, and other major cities.
September 29: The President dissolves the government
President Andry Rajoelina fires his Prime Minister and the entire Cabinet in an attempt to quell the protesters. He says he has heard the complaints of young Madagascans.
Protests are growing, however, in a wide disapproval over other issues, including the cost of living, job opportunities and deception and the intensity of deception among the electorate.
The United Nations says at least 22 people were killed in the first days of the protests and blames the security forces for a violent crackdown on the protests.
Oct. 8: The President’s offer was rejected by the protesters
Rajoelina wants to negotiate and invites youth protesters and other economic groups to speak. The protesters refused the offer, saying they would not meet a government that is killing its own people. They called the protests to continue.
Oct. 11: Soldiers rebel against Rajoelina
The change in weeks of fighting against the government comes when an elite military unit defected to Rajoelina and joined the protests. Soldiers mounted in armored vehicles accompanied the protesters in the main square in downtown Antananarivo linked to previous protests and locked by security forces.
There, Col. Michael Randriarina, the commander of this unit, says his soldiers will not listen to end the protests and calls on Rajoelina to leave the Gen Z protesters.
No reaction from Rajoelina, whose Wheeyauts are unknown.
Oct. 12: The Leader of Couples asserts his authority
Randrianirina, who emerges as the leader of the elevation, begins to assert his authority and says that your division is in charge of all the armed forces of Madagascar. They set military standards, which were accepted by the Minister of Defense in a situation that shows that Randriarina is now in a position of authority.
Rajoelina breaks her silence in a statement issued by her office and says that there have been illegal attempts to seize power in Madagascar. The whereabouts of the President are currently unknown.
Oct. 13: The President makes a secret speech
After not appearing in public for days, Rajoilina made a speech on social media and said that he fled Madagascar for fear of his life after being told that there was a conspiracy to kill him in his presidential palace. He wants the Constitution to be respected and he says he is still the leader of the country but he does not say where he is.
Oct. 14: The soldiers announced the takeover
The exciting day begins with Rajoelina issuing a decree in his secret chamber to dissolve Parliament in an attempt to stop the impersonators. Lawmakers ignored the announcement and voted overwhelmingly to bring in the 51-year-old leader.
Just after the vote, randriarina, a military colonel, appears with other soldiers in front of the old symbolic presidential palace and announces the soldiers taking power. Randrianirina says the military council will be in charge of the country for at least 18 months before new elections.
Oct. 15: Colonel to President
Randrianirina says he will take over as President and will soon take the oath of office to make it official. In a recent statement, he says he will be sworn in on Friday at the country’s highest court.
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More AP coverage of Madagascar’s Military Coup:
