Madagascar: Military Unit Seized by Protest Claims 'Taking Power' After President's Ouster

A military unit that rallied behind the protest movement against President Andry Rajoelina in Madagascar announced on Tuesday that it would "take power" during a speech in Antananarivo, immediately following the National Assembly's vote to oust the head of state.

"We will take power starting today and dissolve the Senate and the Constitutional High Court. The National Assembly will continue its work," stated Colonel Michael Randrianirina in front of the presidential palace in the center of the Malagasy capital. Meanwhile, Andry Rajoelina, who was contested in the streets and is currently in an undisclosed location, denounced the vote that ousted him as a "meeting (...) devoid of any legal basis."