🔗 Share this article

Soldiers have threatened to occupy the state TV building in Madagascar as Leader Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to speak to the nation, his office says, amid unofficial reports that he has departed from the country.

A foreign military aircraft is said to have airlifted Rajoelina from the island island to an undisclosed location, following a fortnight of countrywide rallies intended to removing him from power.

His unsuccessful attempts to calm young protesters - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him sack his whole government and make other concessions to without success.

On Sunday, his office said an endeavor was in progress to force him out of power. He has not been seen in public since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's scheduled address to the nation has been postponed several times - it was originally due at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a influential army force - referred to as CAPSAT - that helped install Rajoelina in power in 2009 acted to undermine him by declaring itself in control of all the armed forces, while numerous of its personnel supported activists on the roads of the main city, Antananarivo.

After a gathering of army commanders on Monday, the new Armed Forces Leader installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, promised the public that the security forces were collaborating to maintain stability in the island nation.

By Monday night, the officer was at government TV facilities working to resolve the situation, according to a communication from the administration.

Speaking on condition of privacy, a top leader in Madagascar's major rival party revealed that Madagascar was now practically being run by CAPSAT.

The TIM party has furthermore stated it intends to bring dismissal proceedings against Rajoelina for "desertion of post".

Numerous of Rajoelina's top advisors have departed to close Mauritius. They comprise previous Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

In spite of its rich 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 just over one-third of residents have access to electricity.

The rallies began over dissatisfaction with repeated water and power cuts, then increased to demonstrate wider unhappiness with Rajoelina's government over high unemployment, corruption, and the economic crisis.

At least 22 civilians were fatally injured and more than 100 hurt in the first few days of the rallies, although the administration has denied these statistics.

Eyewitnesses report police opening fire on protesters with real bullets. In one case, a infant died from breathing problems after being affected by tear gas.

Madagascar has been rocked by numerous protests since it obtained independence in 1960, including large-scale demonstrations in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina brought into office.

At the age of just 34 at the moment, Rajoelina became Africa's youngest leader - proceeding to rule for four years, then resuming to power once more after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was born into wealth and, earlier than joining politics, had established himself for himself as an businessman and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company during this period.

But his stylish, young-looking attraction quickly waned, as allegations of cronyism and established corruption became persistent.

Additional information about Madagascar's crisis:

• Regarding the Gen Z activists who want to force Madagascar's head of state from power
• Army commander named as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z demonstrations