Madagascar soldiers join protesters amid coup allegation

"The CAPSAT contingent, based in the Soanierana district on the outskirts of the capital, Antananarivo, joined thousands of antigovernment demonstrators on Saturday, calling on security forces to refuse orders to shoot and condemning police action taken to quell more than two weeks of youth-led protests that have rocked the Indian Ocean island. The demonstration in the capital, Antananarivo, was one of the largest since the protest movement erupted on September 25, sparked by anger over power and water shortages."

"Police used stun grenades and tear gas in attempts to disperse the crowds of several thousand people. Few left as soldiers from the CAPSAT contingent of administrative and technical officers entered the city in army vehicles to join the demonstrators. They were greeted with cheers from protesters, who called out, Thank you! to the uniformed soldiers, some waving Madagascar flags."

"On Sunday, Rajoelina released a statement saying: An attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and to democratic principles, is currently under way. Dialogue is the only way forward and the only solution to the crisis currently facing the country, he said while calling for unity. Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries and has experienced frequent popular uprisings since its independence from France in 1960."

Soldiers from the CAPSAT contingent in Soanierana entered Antananarivo and joined thousands of antigovernment demonstrators, calling on security forces to refuse orders to shoot. The protest movement began on September 25 over power and water shortages and has produced near-daily youth-led demonstrations. Police used stun grenades and tear gas to try to disperse crowds of several thousand. President Andry Rajoelina accused actors of attempting to seize power illegally and urged dialogue and unity. He dismissed his government on September 30 and appointed a general as prime minister, but the move failed to quell the uprising. Madagascar remains one of the world's poorest countries with a history of uprisings since 1960.

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