Madagascar : time for another Coup attempt

[AdamG]

(Reuters) - Dissident officers declared a takeover of power in Madagascar on Wednesday, but the island's military leadership vowed to crush any rebellion and security forces dispersed a crowd that had gathered to back the rebels.
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President Andry Rajoelina, who took power in March 2009 with the support of some of the same dissident soldiers, said they threatened to kill him if he did not resign -- but he had refused.
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Flanked by the country's military top brass, Prime Minister Camille Vital told reporters the security forces would ensure the rule of law was upheld.

"They tried to have a coup d'etat but so far everything is under control," Vital later told France 24 television. "I don't know what mosquito bit them, but they have broken ranks and committed an error."

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AG2K020101117

And from the 'You're doing it wrong' School of Insurrection, we have -

ANTANANARIVO Nov 17 (Reuters) - A dissident military officer in Madagascar said on Wednesday his group of rebels planned to seize the presidential palace and shut the country's international airport.

Rebel Colonel Charles Andrianasoavina told France 24 television that the dissident group had not yet suspended the government's institutions, but that was still their intention.

"We intend to take control of the presidential palace," he said.

"We are close to the international airport. Depending on the situation tomorrow the airspace will be closed. Tomorrow we intend to take the airport and stop anybody leaving Madagascar."

http://af.reuters.com/article/madaga...6AG1RW20101117

Backstory, from 20 months ago.

The president of Madagascar today agreed to step down, the day after troops loyal to the opposition stormed his palace in the capital.

Marc Ravalomanana, who was holed up in a second presidential palace nine miles away after yesterday's apparent coup attempt, announced shortly after midday that he would hand over power to the military.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...o-step-down.do

[AdamG]

File under "Qu'elle surprise".

Madagascar coup attempt: rebel leaders appear to lose momentum

Madagascar mutineers announced a coup attempt Wednesday, the same day the unstable country held a constitutional referendum. But there has been no movement from the coup leaders.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Afric...-lose-momentum

[davidbfpo]

The BBC's report:

Madagascan troops have stormed an army barracks occupied by rebel soldiers, ending a three-day mutiny.

Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11803740

[AdamG]

Originally Posted by davidbfpo

Crushed?

Like a bug.

Madagascan forces put down a three-day mutiny Saturday when they stormed an army base and arrested dissident soldiers who had declared a coup on the troubled Indian Ocean island.

Gunshots and explosions rang out as around 400 armed soldiers launched the assault on the army barracks where the 20 or so renegades were holed up.

http://www.newstime.co.za/WorldNews/...Mutiny_/15414/

[AdamG]

Golly, has it been almost two years since the last party?

Madagascar's army has retaken control of an army barracks where soldiers staged a mutiny, the military says.

Officers were sent to negotiate with the rebellious troops, but officials said at least one of the negotiators was shot and killed. The military said it launched an operation to retake the base after negotiations failed. In the subsequent gunbattle, the leader of the mutiny and another soldier were killed. "Mopping up operations are continuing," said army spokesman Rarasoa Ralailomady. "A night operation has not been ruled out but the situation is under control."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18946419

[davidbfpo]

Dear Madagascar Government,

We recommend you disband your rebellious army. Having a bi-annual mutiny is deeply upsetting.

We can transfer to your idyllic island several thousand professional soldiers, only after the Olympics though; you may choose from Scottish, British, Gurkha etc.

Our previous respected security purveyor G4S has had to withdraw it's offer; they couldn't even get staff in Glasgow to turn up, so little chance of your temptations getting them out of bed.

Yours faithfully,

UK Government

[Dayuhan]

Sounds like Manila in the late 80s. All kinds of memories of Cory Aquino on TV repeating "everything is under control" with continuous gunfire outside the window delivering a rather different message. Had to move out of a rather nice house because it was right around the corner from the government-owned TV station, inevitably at the center of festivities. Interesting times, almost comical except when it wasn't...