Madagascar Prez Hands Country to Military

Military hands power to opposition leader after president steps down

(NEWSER) - Madagascar's military has handed control of the country over to youthful opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, the BBC reports. The 34-year-old former DJ—who installed himself in the president's office yesterday—promised elections within two years. President Marc Ravalomanana stepped down yesterday after a military raid on his palace, and officers say they rejected his offer to turn the country into a military directorate. More»

(NEWSER) - Explosions rang out in Madagascar’s capital today, as the army stormed and easily captured the presidential palace at the center of the city. The building appeared deserted, according to an AP reporter, who saw armored vehicles roll through the normally ceremonial palace gates. One colonel said it wasn’t an attack on the president, who was in another palace nine miles away at the time, but merely an attempt to control the building. More»

Pressure mounts against coup government

(NEWSER) - International pressure is mounting against the new government of Madagascar, installed this week via coup, the BBC reports. The African Union has suspended the island nation’s membership, calling the takeover “unconstitutional,” and South Africa said it might impose sanctions. France likewise condemned the takeover, and the US cut some of its aid. But the new prime minister brushed off the criticism. More»

Amadou Toumani Toure steps down after military coup

(NEWSER) - A military coup in Mali is becoming a more orderly transfer of power and drawing support from the nation's rather nervous West African neighbors, Al Jazeera reports. About two weeks after a military coup , President Amadou Toumani Toure has agreed to step aside for parliament speaker Diouncounda Traore to take his place and help organize elections. In return, regional countries have agreed to end sanctions and, if needed, help fight a rebel insurgency in northeastern Mali. More»

But 'Azawad' faces long odds of success

(NEWSER) - Tuareg rebels in Mali yesterday announced the creation of their own state called Azawad in the country's vast desert hinterland, reports the BBC , but with the African Union and neighboring countries firmly opposed to breaking up its member states, the chances of Azawad succeeding are "slim," notes the New York Times . Despite an absence of support for the Tuaregs' new country, Mali's disarray from the coup last month has left the state unable to re-take control over the Tuareg region any time soon. More»