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TIMELINE-Madagascar's political turmoil
21 Mar 2009 12:06:54 GMT
 Source: Reuters
March 21 (Reuters) - Jubilant supporters cheered the installation of Madagascar's army-backed new leader Andry Rajoelina on Saturday -- but foreign ambassadors stayed away in a unanimous show of international disapproval.

Below is a timeline of recent events in Madagascar:

Jan. 27, 2009 - Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina calls for more anti-government protests after the worst day of street violence for years.

Feb. 3 - The government fires Rajoelina from his post as mayor of the capital Antananarivo.

Feb. 7 - Security forces kill at least 25 people at an anti-government protest near the presidential palace.

Feb. 21 - Rajoelina meets President Marc Ravalomanana for talks to resolve the power struggle.

Feb. 25 - Rajoelina pulls out of the talks after Ravalomanana fails to attend what would have been the fourth round of discussions to end weeks of civil unrest.

March 8 - Mutiny breaks out in a military camp outside Antananarivo as Rajoelina spends a second day in hiding after a crackdown on his anti-government movement.

March 13 - Dissident soldiers say they have deployed tanks in the capital and will use them to fight any hired mercenaries.

March 14 - Rajoelina emerges from hiding to tell his supporters he is giving Ravalomanana four hours to step down.

March 15 - Ravalomanana offers a referendum as a possible way out of the political standoff.

March 16 - Soldiers seize the presidential palace and the central bank in a show of force, further isolating Ravalomanana.

March 17 - Rajoelina takes power with the support of the army after Ravalomanana is forced out following opposition protests that won the support of the military. At least 135 people were killed in the protests. The African Union, which had rejected any unconstitutional change of power, says the military should not hand over to Rajoelina.

March 18 - Madagascar's Constitutional Court issues a statement endorsing the takeover.

March 19 - Mozambique, Angola and Swaziland, which make up the defence, political and security troika of southern African bloc SADC, which includes Madagascar, refuse to recognise the new leader. Norway, which gives about $14 million a year in aid, says it has frozen funding.

March 20 - The African Union suspends Madagascar and says it has six months to call an election. The United States says it is moving to suspend all non-humanitarian assistance to Madagascar.

March 21 - Rajoelina is installed as Madagascar's army-backed new leader.


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Madagascar military personnel pack their belongings at the entrance of the presidential palace outside the capital Antananarivo March 18, 2009. Madagascar risked criticism from around the world on Wednesday after a ...


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Last updated:Sat Mar 21 12:08:51 2009