🔗 Share this article

Soldiers have threatened to take control of the national TV building in Madagascar as Head of state Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to address the nation, his administration says, amid unverified information that he has left the country.

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

His unsuccessful attempts to placate young protesters - called "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his whole government and make other compromises to no avail.

On Sunday, his administration said an attempt was in progress to pressure him out of power. He has not been observed in open since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's arranged address to the nation has been put off numerous times - it was originally scheduled at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a powerful army unit - called CAPSAT - that helped place Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to challenge him by announcing itself in control of all the armed forces, while some of its personnel aligned with protesters on the streets of the main city, Antananarivo.

Following a gathering of army commanders on Monday, the recently appointed Chief of Army Staff appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the people that the armed services were working together to maintain peace in the island nation.

By Monday evening, the officer was at national TV facilities trying to resolve the situation, according to a announcement from the administration.

Communicating on understanding of privacy, a high-ranking official in Madagascar's biggest rival party told that Madagascar was now practically being run by CAPSAT.

The TIM party has also said it aims to bring dismissal proceedings against Rajoelina for "abandonment of position".

Several of Rajoelina's top advisors have fled to close Mauritius. They comprise ex- Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Despite its abundant natural resources, Madagascar is counted as the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there exist below the economic hardship level, while information shows about one-third of individuals have availability to electricity.

The protests started over dissatisfaction with frequent water and power cuts, then escalated to demonstrate wider unhappiness with Rajoelina's administration over significant unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.

At least 22 people were lost their lives and in excess of 100 injured in the first few days of the demonstrations, although the government has rejected these numbers.

Eyewitnesses describe police shooting on protesters with lethal rounds. In an instance, a infant passed away from smoke inhalation after being affected by tear gas.

Madagascar has been impacted by numerous protests since it obtained independence in 1960, encompassing large-scale rallies in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina ushered into office.

At the age of just 34 at the time, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - going on to rule for four years, then returning to power once more after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was coming from wealth and, before pursuing politics, had established himself for himself as an entrepreneur and DJ - creating a radio station and an advertising company along the way.

But his stylish, baby-faced appeal soon waned, as accusations of cronyism and deep-rooted corruption became unshakeable.

More on Madagascar's crisis:

• About the Gen Z demonstrators who aim to pressure Madagascar's leader from power
• Military general named as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z rallies