An elite Madagascar military unit said Tuesday it had taken power in the Indian Ocean nation after parliamentarians voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of anti-government protests.
There were celebrations in the streets of the capital after the commander of the CAPSAT military unit, which joined the demonstrators at the weekend, announced that it was in charge.
The presidency denounced "a clear act of attempted coup" and insisted that Rajoelina, in hiding reportedly out of the country, "remains fully in office".
Rajoelina, 51, had late Monday refused growing demands to step down from the protest movement that started on September 25 over power and water shortages, and developed into a campaign against the president and ruling elite.
Outside the presidential palace, CAPSAT commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina read out a statement announcing the suspension of the constitution
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