Military personnel threaten to seize state TV in Madagascar, leader's administration announces, amid alerts of government overthrow

Military members have warned to occupy the national TV facilities in Madagascar as Head of state Andry Rajoelina was expected to speak to the nation, his office reports, amid unverified accounts that he has fled the country.

A foreign military plane is said to have transported Rajoelina from the African island to an unknown location, following a two weeks of nationwide demonstrations designed to removing him out of power.

His unsuccessful endeavors to calm young activists - labeled "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his complete government and make further compromises to unsuccessfully.

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

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

Over the weekend, a significant army division - called CAPSAT - that supported place Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to weaken him by proclaiming itself in command of all the military, while several of its officers joined activists on the roads of the main city, Antananarivo.

Subsequent to a meeting of military officers on Monday, the new Armed Forces Leader appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, guaranteed the people that the military were cooperating to keep peace in the state.

By Monday night, the commander was at state TV building working to resolve the emergency, according to a statement from the administration.

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

The TIM party has also said it intends to bring removal procedures against Rajoelina for "neglect of office".

Several of Rajoelina's close associates have escaped to adjacent Mauritius. They include previous Government Leader Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Regardless of its rich mineral wealth, Madagascar is one of the most impoverished countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there live below the impoverishment threshold, while information shows just over one-third of individuals have availability to electricity.

The rallies commenced over dissatisfaction with repeated water and power cuts, then increased to reflect broader unhappiness with Rajoelina's regime over significant unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.

At least 22 civilians were lost their lives and over 100 wounded in the opening days of the protests, although the administration has rejected these numbers.

Eyewitnesses detail security officers shooting on civilians with lethal rounds. In one case, a newborn passed away from smoke inhalation after being exposed to tear gas.

Madagascar has been rocked by several rebellions since it gained independence in 1960, comprising large-scale protests in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina placed into office.

Aged just 34 at the moment, Rajoelina became Africa's most youthful leader - going on to govern for four years, then resuming to power a second time after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was raised in wealth and, prior to entering politics, had built reputation for himself as an businessman and DJ - establishing a radio station and an advertising company in the process.

But his stylish, young-looking appeal soon waned, as accusations of favoritism and established corruption became unshakeable.

Further details regarding Madagascar's emergency:

• About the Gen Z demonstrators who seek to force Madagascar's president from power
• Military commander named as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z demonstrations