标签： Africa

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — The Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar has witnessed a dramatic shift in power as the military staged a coup, ousting President Andry Rajoelina, who has since fled the country. This political upheaval marks a significant chapter in the history of the former French colony off Africa’s east coast. Below is a detailed timeline of the events leading to the military takeover:

**September 25: Youth Protests Erupt**
Thousands of young Madagascans, frustrated by chronic water and power shortages, took to the streets to protest against the government. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, escalating tensions. The movement, dubbed ‘Gen Z Madagascar,’ gained momentum online, with their Facebook page amassing over 100,000 followers. Nighttime curfews were imposed in the capital, Antananarivo, and other major cities.

**September 29: President Dissolves Government**
In an attempt to quell the unrest, President Rajoelina dismissed his prime minister and the entire Cabinet, claiming to address the grievances of the youth. However, the protests expanded, fueled by broader concerns such as the rising cost of living, unemployment, and allegations of corruption and nepotism. The United Nations reported at least 22 fatalities during the initial protests, attributing the violence to the security forces’ harsh crackdown on what began as peaceful demonstrations.

**October 8: President’s Offer Rejected**
Rajoelina called for dialogue, inviting youth protesters and civic groups to talks. However, the protesters rejected the offer, vowing to continue their demonstrations and refusing to engage with a government they accused of killing its own citizens.

**October 11: Military Rebellion**
The crisis reached a turning point when an elite military unit rebelled against Rajoelina, joining the protesters. Led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the soldiers marched with demonstrators to a key square in Antananarivo, historically significant for past uprisings. Randrianirina declared his unit’s refusal to suppress the protests and called for Rajoelina’s resignation, earning cheers from the crowd. Rajoelina’s whereabouts remained unknown.

**October 12: Coup Leader Asserts Authority**
Randrianirina began consolidating power, claiming control over Madagascar’s armed forces and appointing a new military general. The defense minister’s acceptance of this move signaled Randrianirina’s growing authority. Rajoelina broke his silence, denouncing the military’s actions as an ‘illegal attempt to seize power,’ but his location remained undisclosed.

**October 13: President Speaks from Hiding**
Rajoelina addressed the nation via social media, revealing he had fled Madagascar after learning of an assassination plot. He asserted his legitimacy as the country’s leader and called for constitutional adherence but provided no details about his location.

**October 14: Military Announces Takeover**
Rajoelina attempted to dissolve parliament to prevent his impeachment, but lawmakers ignored his decree and voted overwhelmingly to remove him from office. Shortly after, Randrianirina, flanked by soldiers, announced the military’s assumption of power. He declared that a military council would govern the country for at least 18 months before new elections.

**October 15: Randrianirina to Assume Presidency**
Randrianirina confirmed he would assume the presidency and planned to take the oath of office at the country’s highest court. This move solidifies the military’s control over Madagascar, marking a new era in the nation’s political landscape.

Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has unveiled a new initiative aimed at rescuing his nation from what he describes as a deepening crisis under President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration. This announcement followed a two-day meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, where Kabila convened with other opposition leaders to strategize against what they termed the “dictatorship” of Tshisekedi. The gathering, attended by prominent figures including former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo, resulted in a 14-point declaration signed by leaders of 12 opposition groups, urging Congolese citizens to unite and take action to restore dignity and democracy. The declaration criticized the government’s rejection of inclusive dialogue, poor economic governance, and the arbitrary detention of political opponents. Kabila, who was recently sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes and treason, dismissed the charges as politically motivated. His appearance in Nairobi marked the first public sighting since May, when he was reportedly in the M23 rebel-held city of Goma. The meeting coincided with the DRC government’s signing of a ceasefire monitoring agreement with the M23 rebels in Doha, highlighting the ongoing instability in the region. The Congolese government dismissed the Nairobi meeting as insignificant, labeling it a gathering of ‘fugitives and convicts.’ Meanwhile, Kabila and his allies vowed to launch a diplomatic offensive to alert the international community to the crisis in DRC, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention to address the country’s political and economic challenges.

In a high-profile legal battle, former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan has appealed his extradition from Australia to the United States, where he faces allegations of illegally training Chinese military aviators over a decade ago. Duggan, who worked as an instructor at the Test Flying Academy of South Africa in 2012, is accused of providing training to Chinese pilots without obtaining the necessary licenses. The charges stem from a 2016 indictment unsealed in late 2022, which claims Duggan conspired with others and received approximately 88,000 Australian dollars ($61,000) for his services. Duggan appeared in the Australian Federal Court in Canberra to file his appeal, traveling 350 kilometers from a maximum-security prison in Wellington, New South Wales. Justice James Stellios will announce the verdict at a later date. Duggan has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and asserting that he broke no Australian laws. His wife, Saffrine Duggan, has accused the Australian government of complicity in what she describes as an ‘ideological war’ between the U.S. and China. Duggan’s lawyer, Christopher Parkin, argued that it is ‘extraordinary’ for someone to face extradition from Australia for actions allegedly committed in South Africa. Duggan, who became an Australian citizen in 2012 after renouncing his U.S. citizenship, has been in custody since his arrest in 2022. The case continues to draw significant attention amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China.

NAIROBI, Kenya — The nation of Kenya is in deep mourning following the death of Raila Odinga, a towering figure in African politics and former Prime Minister of Kenya. Odinga passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80 in India after collapsing during a morning walk. His body was repatriated to Kenya on Thursday, where thousands of grieving citizens gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to pay their respects. The airport operations were temporarily halted as mourners lined the runway to witness the arrival of the chartered plane carrying his remains, which was honored with a water cannon salute. Odinga, affectionately known as “Baba” (father) by many, was celebrated for his relentless advocacy for democracy and his role in shaping Kenya’s multiparty system. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief across the nation, with President William Ruto declaring seven days of national mourning. Odinga’s state funeral will be held on Sunday in his rural hometown of Bondo, following public viewings in Nairobi and Kisumu. Despite never securing the presidency, Odinga’s legacy as a unifier and champion of democratic ideals remains indelible. His family has requested a swift burial, adhering to his wishes to be laid to rest within 72 hours.