A colonel in an elite military unit in Madagascar said Tuesday that the armed forces are taking power in the Indian Ocean nation in what appeared to confirm that President Andry Rajoelina had been removed in a coup. Col. Michael Randrianirina’s announcement in front of a ceremonial presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, came almost immediately after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who has fled the country because of the rebellion by soldiers. “We are taking power,” the colonel said. Randrianirina said in front of reporters that the military would form a council composed of officers from the military and the gendarmerie law enforcement force. A prime minister would be appointed to “quickly” form a civilian government, he said. He also said the constitution and the powers of the High Constitutional Court had been suspended. He said a referendum would be held in two years, although the details of that were not immediately clear.

Full report : Madagascar’s military takes power, fleeing president impeached.