Soldiers threaten to occupy government TV in Madagascar, presidency says, amid alerts of power grab

Soldiers have declared intention to seize the state TV facilities in Madagascar as Head of state Andry Rajoelina was due to speak to the nation, his staff says, amid unconfirmed information that he has departed from the country.

A foreign military plane is believed to have airlifted Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an secret location, following a 14 days of countrywide protests intended to removing him out of power.

His ineffective efforts to calm young activists - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him fire his entire government and make further agreements to without success.

On Sunday, his office said an attempt was ongoing to pressure him out of power. He has not been spotted in open since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's planned statement to the nation has been postponed multiple times - it was first scheduled at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a influential army unit - called CAPSAT - that supported install Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to undermine him by proclaiming itself in command of all the military, while numerous of its members joined protesters on the avenues of the main city, Antananarivo.

Following a gathering of defense officers on Monday, the current Military Commander appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, guaranteed the public that the military were collaborating to maintain order in the country.

By Monday night, the general was at state TV headquarters working to settle the emergency, according to a announcement from the presidency.

Speaking on condition of privacy, a high-ranking leader in Madagascar's biggest opposition party revealed that Madagascar was now essentially being governed by CAPSAT.

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

Several of Rajoelina's inner circle have departed to nearby Mauritius. They include ex- Government Leader Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Regardless of its rich raw materials, Madagascar is among the least wealthy countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there live below the impoverishment threshold, while statistics shows approximately one-third of people have opportunity to electricity.

The demonstrations started over dissatisfaction with repeated water and power cuts, then intensified to demonstrate more extensive discontent with Rajoelina's regime over significant unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.

At least 22 people were fatally injured and over 100 wounded in the first few days of the protests, although the administration has denied these numbers.

Witnesses report law enforcement using weapons on demonstrators with live ammunition. In a particular situation, a baby succumbed from breathing problems after being affected by tear gas.

Madagascar has been rocked by multiple rebellions since it obtained independence in 1960, including mass demonstrations in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to step down and saw Rajoelina brought into office.

At the age of just 34 at the time, Rajoelina became Africa's most youthful leader - proceeding to lead for four years, then returning to power a second time after the 2018 election.

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

But his stylish, baby-faced attraction rapidly waned, as claims of favoritism and established corruption became persistent.

More on Madagascar's crisis:

• About the Gen Z protesters who aim to force Madagascar's president from power
• Defense officer named as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z rallies