Madagascar’s embattled President Andry Rajoelina has said he is sheltering in a “safe place” after an attempt on his life, following weeks of protests calling for him to quit.
In a live broadcast to the nation on Facebook, Rajoelina, 51, said “a group of military personnel and politicians planned to assassinate me”.
He did not reveal his location, but unconfirmed reports earlier suggested that he had fled the country on a French military aircraft.
It follows a fortnight of nationwide protests, mainly led by young demonstrators, aimed at kicking him out of power.
Rajoelina’s failed attempts to placate the young protesters – dubbed “Gen Z Mada” – saw the president sack his entire government and make other concessions to no avail.
He has not been seen since Wednesday, and at the weekend Rajoelina’s office said an attempt was under way to force him from power.
His address to the nation was delayed several times on Monday amid the chaos, as soldiers threatened to seize the state TV headquarters in the Indian Ocean island.
Eventually, in the Facebook broadcast he said: “Since 25 September, there have been attempts on my life and coup attempts. A group of military personnel and politicians planned to assassinate me.
“I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life.”
“There is only one way to resolve these issues; that is to respect the constitution in force in the country”.
Over the weekend, CAPSAT, a powerful army unit that helped install Rajoelina into power in 2009 moved to undermine him by declaring itself in command of all the armed forces, while some of its officers joined protesters on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7o1WhL9stc&t=1s
SOURCE: BBC AFRICA
