 President Ravalomanana was forced out of office by popular protests led by Andry Rajoelina and military intervention in March 2009.He nevertheless insisted that he was the legitimate President, and on 16 April 2009 he announced from exile that he was appointing Rakotonirina as Prime Minister.Ravalomanana made this announcement by phone at a rally of his supporters in Antananarivo, with Rakotonirina in attendance.