The military has seized power in a coup in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar and ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who has fled the country. Here's a timeline of major events leading up to the takeover in the former French colony off Africa's east coast: Sept.

On Tuesday, the same military unit that aided Rajoelina’s rise declared it was taking power in Madagascar and ousting him as president following weeks of youth-led protests — this time against Rajoeli...

"A coup is when soldiers enter the presidential palace with weapons, they shoot, there is bloodshed... This is not a coup," Randrianirina told journalists.