Colonel of Madagascar’s elite military unit, Michael Randrianirina, announced yesterday that the armed forces have taken power in this island country in the Indian Ocean, immediately after the parliament voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina.
Colonel Randrianirina told reporters that the army will form a council made up of army and gendarmerie officers, and that a prime minister who will form a civilian government will be appointed “quickly.”
This statement signals the end of the seven-year rule of President Rajoelina, who fled the country after the elite military unit joined anti-government demonstrators.
Rajoelina yesterday dissolved the lower house of parliament by decree, further deepening the political crisis in the country.
Parliament then voted for his impeachment.
