Military personnel threaten to take over state TV in Madagascar, presidential office reports, amid warnings of coup attempt

Military members have threatened to seize the government TV headquarters in Madagascar as Leader Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to address the nation, his office reports, amid unofficial information that he has fled the country.

A international military plane is believed to have evacuated Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an unknown location, following a 14 days of national protests aimed at ousting him out of power.

His failed endeavors to appease young demonstrators - labeled "Gen Z Mada" - saw him fire his entire government and make further concessions to without success.

On Sunday, his administration said an effort was ongoing to push him from power. He has not been spotted in public since Wednesday.

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

Over the weekend, a powerful army division - called CAPSAT - that assisted place Rajoelina in power in 2009 acted to challenge him by declaring itself in charge of all the armed forces, while numerous of its personnel supported demonstrators on the avenues of the capital, Antananarivo.

Following a conference of military officers on Monday, the new Military Commander appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, promised the people that the armed services were collaborating to preserve order in the country.

By Monday late afternoon, the officer was at national TV headquarters working to resolve the emergency, according to a communication from the presidency.

Talking on condition of confidentiality, a high-ranking leader in Madagascar's largest competing party told that Madagascar was now effectively being governed by CAPSAT.

The TIM party has additionally said it intends to bring impeachment procedures against Rajoelina for "desertion of post".

Multiple of Rajoelina's top advisors have departed to close Mauritius. They consist of ex- Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Despite its abundant raw materials, Madagascar is one of the most impoverished countries in the world. About 75% of residents there exist below the poverty line, while information shows just over one-third of individuals have opportunity to electricity.

The demonstrations started over dissatisfaction with ongoing water and power cuts, then escalated to represent wider discontent with Rajoelina's regime over elevated unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.

At least 22 people were fatally injured and in excess of 100 wounded in the opening days of the demonstrations, although the administration has denied these numbers.

Witnesses report police shooting on protesters with lethal rounds. In an instance, a newborn succumbed from breathing problems after being affected by tear gas.

Madagascar has been impacted by multiple protests since it gained independence in 1960, encompassing large-scale demonstrations in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina ushered into office.

Aged just 34 at the period, Rajoelina became Africa's youngest leader - proceeding to govern for four years, then coming back to power again after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was born into wealth and, earlier than joining politics, had built reputation for himself as an entrepreneur and DJ - establishing a radio station and an advertising company along the way.

But his well-dressed, youthful charm rapidly declined, as accusations of cronyism and established corruption became persistent.

Additional information about Madagascar's emergency:

• Regarding the Gen Z protesters who want to pressure Madagascar's head of state from power
• Army general named as Madagascar PM to suppress Gen Z protests