Armed forces pledge to take over national TV in Madagascar, presidential office says, amid alerts of government overthrow

Armed forces have threatened to occupy the national TV facilities in Madagascar as Head of state Andry Rajoelina was due to speak to the nation, his administration reports, amid unofficial information that he has departed from the country.

A international military plane is believed to have airlifted Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an secret location, following a fortnight of nationwide rallies aimed at ousting him out of power.

His failed endeavors to appease young demonstrators - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his whole government and make other agreements to without success.

On Sunday, his administration said an effort was in progress to push him out of power. He has not been spotted in open since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's scheduled statement to the nation has been delayed numerous times - it was initially due at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a influential army division - known as CAPSAT - that helped install Rajoelina in power in 2009 proceeded to undermine him by announcing itself in charge of all the armed forces, while numerous of its officers aligned with demonstrators on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo.

Subsequent to a meeting of military leaders on Monday, the current Armed Forces Leader installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the people that the security forces were collaborating to maintain stability in the island nation.

By Monday evening, the general was at national TV facilities trying to address the situation, according to a communication from the administration.

Communicating on understanding of anonymity, a top leader in Madagascar's biggest rival party told that Madagascar was now effectively being run by CAPSAT.

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

Numerous of Rajoelina's top advisors have escaped to nearby Mauritius. They include previous Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Regardless of its plentiful mineral wealth, Madagascar is one of the least wealthy countries in the world. About 75% of residents there exist below the impoverishment threshold, while statistics shows approximately one-third of people have availability to electricity.

The demonstrations started over dissatisfaction with repeated water and power cuts, then escalated to represent wider discontent with Rajoelina's regime over high unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.

At least 22 individuals were lost their lives and in excess of 100 hurt in the initial days of the demonstrations, although the administration has denied these statistics.

Witnesses detail law enforcement shooting on demonstrators with real bullets. In an instance, a infant passed away from smoke inhalation after being affected by tear gas.

Madagascar has been impacted by numerous rebellions since it gained independence in 1960, comprising extensive protests in 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina brought into office.

At the age of just 34 at the time, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - continuing to govern for four years, then returning to power once more after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was born into wealth and, earlier than pursuing politics, had established himself for himself as an business owner and DJ - creating a radio station and an advertising company in the process.

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

More on Madagascar's emergency:

• Behind the Gen Z activists who aim to pressure Madagascar's head of state from power
• Defense general named as Madagascar PM to suppress Gen Z protests