Armed forces pledge to seize government TV in Madagascar, presidential office reports, amid warnings of government overthrow

Military members have threatened to seize the state TV building in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to speak to the nation, his staff says, amid unconfirmed accounts that he has left the country.

A international military jet is believed to have evacuated Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an unknown location, following a fortnight of national demonstrations aimed at removing him from power.

His unsuccessful efforts to calm young protesters - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him sack his complete government and make further concessions to no avail.

On Sunday, his office said an endeavor was under way to force him from power. He has not been seen in public since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's planned address to the nation has been delayed several times - it was initially due at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a powerful army division - referred to as CAPSAT - that helped install Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to weaken him by declaring itself in command of all the military, while numerous of its members joined protesters on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo.

Subsequent to a gathering of defense officers on Monday, the current Military Commander appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, promised the public that the armed services were collaborating to preserve order in the country.

By Monday late afternoon, the general was at state TV building trying to settle the situation, according to a announcement from the presidential office.

Communicating on condition of confidentiality, a top representative in Madagascar's major opposition party told that Madagascar was now effectively being governed by CAPSAT.

The TIM party has additionally said it aims to bring impeachment procedures against Rajoelina for "neglect of position".

Numerous of Rajoelina's inner circle have fled to adjacent Mauritius. They include ex- Cabinet Head Richard Ravalomanana and the businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

In spite of its plentiful raw materials, Madagascar is among the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of people there exist below the impoverishment threshold, while statistics shows approximately one-third of people have opportunity to electricity.

The rallies started over dissatisfaction with ongoing water and power cuts, then intensified to reflect wider unhappiness with Rajoelina's regime over high unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.

At least 22 individuals were fatally injured and over 100 injured in the opening days of the protests, although the authorities has disputed these figures.

Witnesses report security officers shooting on demonstrators with lethal rounds. In an instance, a infant passed away from smoke inhalation after being subjected to tear gas.

Madagascar has been shaken by multiple uprisings since it obtained independence in 1960, comprising large-scale rallies in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina ushered into office.

At the age of just 34 at the period, Rajoelina became Africa's youngest leader - going on to rule for four years, then resuming to power a second time after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, earlier than entering politics, had built reputation for himself as an entrepreneur and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company in the process.

But his well-dressed, baby-faced appeal rapidly diminished, as allegations of cronyism and entrenched corruption became ongoing.

Additional information about Madagascar's crisis:

• About the Gen Z demonstrators who aim to pressure Madagascar's head of state from power
• Military general named as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z demonstrations