🔗 Share this article

Armed forces have threatened to occupy the state TV building in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to speak to the nation, his administration reports, amid unofficial information that he has departed from the country.

A French military aircraft is said to have transported Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an unknown location, following a fortnight of countrywide rallies aimed at kicking him out of power.

His ineffective efforts to calm young activists - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him fire his entire government and make other compromises to no avail.

On Sunday, his administration said an attempt was under way to force him from power. He has not been spotted in public since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's planned statement to the nation has been postponed multiple times - it was first planned at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a powerful army unit - referred to as CAPSAT - that assisted place Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to challenge him by declaring itself in command of all the armed forces, while several of its members joined activists on the streets of the main city, Antananarivo.

Subsequent to a meeting of army commanders on Monday, the current Chief of Army Staff appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, promised the citizens that the armed services were cooperating to preserve peace in the country.

By Monday evening, the general was at state TV facilities attempting to resolve the situation, according to a statement from the presidency.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a top official in Madagascar's major competing party informed that Madagascar was now practically being governed by CAPSAT.

The TIM party has also announced it intends to bring dismissal proceedings against Rajoelina for "neglect of position".

Several of Rajoelina's top advisors have escaped to nearby Mauritius. They consist of previous Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Regardless of its abundant mineral wealth, Madagascar is among the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there exist below the economic hardship level, while statistics shows approximately one-third of residents have availability to electricity.

The rallies started over dissatisfaction with ongoing water and power cuts, then intensified to demonstrate more extensive discontent with Rajoelina's administration over elevated unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.

At least 22 civilians were killed and in excess of 100 hurt in the initial days of the protests, although the authorities has rejected these figures.

Eyewitnesses report law enforcement shooting on demonstrators with live ammunition. In an instance, a baby succumbed from smoke inhalation after being exposed to tear gas.

Madagascar has been impacted by numerous protests since it gained independence in 1960, encompassing extensive rallies in 2009 that compelled then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina ushered into office.

Aged just 34 at the time, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - continuing to rule for four years, then coming back to power once more after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was coming from wealth and, prior to joining politics, had made a name for himself as an business owner and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company during this period.

But his stylish, youthful attraction quickly diminished, as allegations of favoritism and entrenched corruption became unshakeable.

More on Madagascar's crisis:

• Behind the Gen Z activists who aim to compel Madagascar's leader from power
• Defense commander appointed as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z rallies