No Bloodshed in Madagascar Coup Attempt

South Africa  |  11.21.10   By PoliticsAfrica Staff

The attempted coup staged earlier this week has been defused without bloodshed, the Madagascar regime’s prime minister has said.

Camille Vital told reporters late Saturday that 16 officers surrendered, ending an impasse that began Wednesday when a faction of officers declared they were taking over from Andry Rajoelina.

Rajoelina, a former mayor and disc jockey, had military’s support when he toppled elected president Marc Ravalomanana last year after months of violent protests.

Earlier Saturday, hundreds of soldiers loyal to Rajoelina converged on a base near the capital’s airport where the mutineers were holed up.

Officials had said talks were planned, but shots were heard inside the base.

Colonel. Julien Ravelomihary, a high-ranking member of the High Transitional Authority’s military, told reporters Sathat mutinous officers were ready to hand themselves over, but some junior officers initially resisted.

Despite the shooting, Vital said: “This crisis ended with the surrender of the mutineers, without bloodshed or threat to human life.”

He said those who surrendered would face trial.

Also Saturday, police fired tear gas to break up a crowd of several hundred anti-Rajoelina demonstrators in Antananarivo.

Saturday’s protest was led by a mayors’ organization that opposes the electoral plan imposed by Rajoelina.

Police say they arrested the group’s leader.

No injuries were reported.

Wednesday’s coup attempt came amid a nationwide vote on Rajoelina’s proposed constitution.

The proposed new charter largely resembles the existing constitution, but states that Rajoelina, the current leader of the so-called High Transitional Authority, would remain in power until a new president is elected.

There is no certainty new elections will be held.

The proposed constitution also sets the minimum age to be president at 35 instead of the current 40.

Rajoelina is 36.

Since Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960, soldiers have repeatedly meddled in politics.

Most Malagasy, as the nation’s people are known, live in poverty, which tourism, vanilla production, and the recent discovery of oil have done little to alleviate

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