"Andry Rajoelina's announcement on Monday followed reports that he had been evacuated by a French aircraft on Sunday. President Andry Rajoelina has fled Madagascar to protect his life amid nationwide protests, which began late last month. Rajoelina confirmed in a live Facebook address on Monday that he had travelled to a safe location following reports and rumours that he had been flown out of the country on Sunday."
"The president's reported departure came after army units defected on Saturday, with Rajoelina condemning the move as an attempt to seize power illegally and by force. Hours after his comments, the army's elite CAPSAT unit, which played an important role in first bringing Rajoelina to power in a 2009 coup, said it had taken control of the country's military. Earlier, it had announced that it would refuse orders to shoot demonstrators."
President Andry Rajoelina left Madagascar and confirmed via a live Facebook address that he had travelled to a safe location, without disclosing his whereabouts. Reports say he was evacuated on a French military aircraft after being brought to Sainte Marie Airport by helicopter. A scheduled television address was delayed after armed forces threatened to take control of state-owned media. Army units defected, and the elite CAPSAT unit said it had taken control of the military and refused orders to shoot demonstrators. The United Nations reports at least 22 people killed in clashes amid protests that began on September 25.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]