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Madagascar army seizes presidency Madagascar army seizes presidency
(20 minutes later)
Soldiers have seized one of the palaces belonging to the embattled President of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, in the centre of the capital, Antananarivo. Soldiers have seized one of the palaces of embattled Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana in the centre of the capital Antananarivo.
Explosions and gunfire erupted as tanks smashed the palace gates. The central bank was also reportedly taken.Explosions and gunfire erupted as tanks smashed the palace gates. The central bank was also reportedly taken.
Mr Ravalomanana was in another residence on the outskirts of the city.Mr Ravalomanana was in another residence on the outskirts of the city.
Earlier opposition leader Andry Rajoelina called for the arrest of the president and won public backing from the armed forces' self-declared head.Earlier opposition leader Andry Rajoelina called for the arrest of the president and won public backing from the armed forces' self-declared head.
The African Union has condemned the "attempted coup d'etat" and called on Madagascar to respect its constitution.The African Union has condemned the "attempted coup d'etat" and called on Madagascar to respect its constitution.
The fierce power struggle on the Indian Ocean island has triggered a military mutiny, looting and violent protests that have left at least 100 people dead since January.The fierce power struggle on the Indian Ocean island has triggered a military mutiny, looting and violent protests that have left at least 100 people dead since January.
Gunfire lights skyGunfire lights sky
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says round after round of gunfire - believed to be soldiers celebrating - lit up the night sky. "The palace is occupied. This was our mission for today. For now, we have no more orders," an army colonel, who declined to be named, told Reuters news agency inside the captured palace.
CRISIS TIMELINE Dec 2006: Marc Ravalomanana (r) re-elected as president31 Jan 2009: Opposition's Andry Rajoelina (l) says he is in charge3 Feb: Rajoelina sacked as mayor of Antananarivo; protests intensify8 Feb: Security forces fire on opposition rally leaving 28 dead11 March: Dissident troops oust army chief15 March: Ravalomanana proposes to hold referendum16 March: Army storms presidential office Malagasy views on standoffCrisis isolates presidentCRISIS TIMELINE Dec 2006: Marc Ravalomanana (r) re-elected as president31 Jan 2009: Opposition's Andry Rajoelina (l) says he is in charge3 Feb: Rajoelina sacked as mayor of Antananarivo; protests intensify8 Feb: Security forces fire on opposition rally leaving 28 dead11 March: Dissident troops oust army chief15 March: Ravalomanana proposes to hold referendum16 March: Army storms presidential office Malagasy views on standoffCrisis isolates president
Our correspondent says it may now be a question of when, not if, the president - who was hunkered down at the Iavoloha presidential palace about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre - finds himself under siege. Mr Ravalomanana was hunkered down about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre at the Iavoloha palace, where hundreds of his supporters were camped out.
Earlier on Monday, the embattled president again proposed a referendum to resolve the seven-week political crisis. The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says round after round of gunfire - believed to be soldiers celebrating - lit up the night sky but the capital is now quiet, except for the howling of stray dogs.
Our correspondent says it may now be a question of when, not if, the president finds himself under siege.
Col Andre Ndriarijaona, who last week said he had replaced the military chief of staff, said the army was virtually all behind the opposition.
"We are there for the Malagasy people. If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him," he said. "I would say 99% of the forces are behind him."
Earlier on Monday, the embattled president again proposed a referendum on whether he should complete his term, as a way of resolving the seven-week political crisis.
Mr Ravalomanana, who was re-elected for a second term in office in 2006, has previously said he wants to remain in office until his mandate expires in 2011.Mr Ravalomanana, who was re-elected for a second term in office in 2006, has previously said he wants to remain in office until his mandate expires in 2011.
'Thirsty for change'
But the opposition leader rejected Mr Ravalomanana's plebiscite plan and called for the security forces to arrest him.But the opposition leader rejected Mr Ravalomanana's plebiscite plan and called for the security forces to arrest him.
Q&A: Madagascar in crisisMadagascar's 'young pretender'
Mr Rajoelina said: "The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place."Mr Rajoelina said: "The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place."
Our correspondent says Mr Rajoelina has wrapped himself in the cloak of democracy, but he wants to replace an elected head of state without going to a ballot.Our correspondent says Mr Rajoelina has wrapped himself in the cloak of democracy, but he wants to replace an elected head of state without going to a ballot.
'Behind the people'
The opposition leader, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money.The opposition leader, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money.
If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him Col Ndriarijaona Q&A: Madagascar in crisisMadagascar's 'young pretender'
But Mr Ravalomanana's supporters say his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives.But Mr Ravalomanana's supporters say his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives.
The army has traditionally remained neutral during periods of political volatility since independence from France in 1960.The army has traditionally remained neutral during periods of political volatility since independence from France in 1960.
But on Monday, Col Andre Ndriarijaona, who last week said he had replaced the military chief of staff, said the army was virtually all behind the opposition.
"We are there for the Malagasy people. If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him," he said. "I would say 99% of the forces are behind him."
Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector.Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector.
But 70% of the 20 million population still lives on less than $2 (£1.40) a day and correspondents say the opposition has tapped into popular frustration at the failure of this new wealth to trickle down.But 70% of the 20 million population still lives on less than $2 (£1.40) a day and correspondents say the opposition has tapped into popular frustration at the failure of this new wealth to trickle down.
Are you in Madagascar? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Madagascar? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.
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