19 People Detained Over Allegations of Coup in Madagascar

President Andry Rajoelina

19 people have been arrested by security forces in Madagascar accused of plotting a coup against the country’s leaders. The alleged plotters planned to attack the prime minister’s residence in the early hours of Monday, according to officials. According to Lieutenant Colonel Rene Lilyson, military officers were among those taken into custody on Sunday. The cxountry’s armed forces have shown their dislike of the country’s de facto President Andry Rajoelina, who seized power in a military-backed coup last year.

General Noel Rakotonandrasana, the armed forces minister, recently refused to quit his post despite being fired by Prime Minister Camille Vital. Just last week, the army asked Mr. Rajoelina for a clear road map to end the island nation’s political crisis. The African Union imposed sanctions on Mr. Rajoelina and more than 100 supporters In March after he failed to honour AU-mediated power-sharing deals. The AU had mediated negotiations in Mozambique between Mr. Rajoelina’s government and three opposition groups, including one led by ousted President Marc Ravalomanana.

© 2010, Newstime Africa. All rights reserved. – Reproduction of Newstime Africa content on any other news medium without the prior consent or approval of the publishers is forbidden, and in direct contravention of International copyright laws. Violators will be pursued and prosecuted.