Evacuation ordered in Madagascar after coup bid

Author: 
LOVASA RABARY-RAKOTONDRAVONY | AP
Publication Date: 
Fri, 2010-11-19 15:00

Defense Minister Gen. Lucien Rakotoarimasy made the call on state television and radio in the island nation off southeastern Africa. Reached later by telephone, he said the evacuation was not ordered in preparation for an attack. He said negotiations were under way.
Reporters saw a large contingent of soldiers and vehicles along the airport road. Shops in the area were closed. The base itself appeared calm.
Top officers had called reporters to the base Wednesday to declare they were taking over the country from Andry Rajoelina. The officers have been holed up since at the base, and Rajoelina, who himself grabbed power with military backing last year, appeared in control.
From the base, the officers issued a statement aired on private TV stations late Thursday, pledging to persevere.
The officers there include Col. Charles Andrianasoavina, who last year backed Rajoelina’s move to take power from an elected president, Marc Ravalomanana, after months of deadly violence and political turmoil.
Since then, Rajoelina had been unable to break out of international isolation, and some in the military have grown disenchanted. Rajoelina has rejected international mediation efforts, imposing his own plan that he insisted would lead to new presidential elections some time next year.
Rajoelina’s plan included a constitutional referendum held Wednesday, the day the officers announced their takeover bid. With 12 percent of results tallied Friday, the “yes” vote was about 70 percent. The proposed new charter largely resembles the existing constitution, but states that the current leader of a so-called High Transitional Authority — Rajoelina — would remain in power until a new president is elected.
That was seen as a bid by Rajoelina to stay in power indefinitely because there is no certainty new elections would be held.
The proposed constitution also sets the minimum age to be president at 35 instead of the current 40. Rajoelina is 36.
Rajoelina won’t be able to hold onto power long without the support of a united military. Since this Indian Ocean island gained independence from France in 1960, soldiers have repeatedly meddled in politics.

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