GEN Z uprisers have forced Madagascar’s president to flee for his life, after youth protests were amplified by mutiny in the army.
President Andry Rajoelina was whisked away in a French military plane to a secret location following the coup “coup” – but has refused to resign.
A young protestor storms past a burning tyre[/caption]
Uprising was driven by three weeks of fierce Gen-Z protests[/caption]
Local police take cover during clashes between demonstrators and security forces[/caption]
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country fearing for his life[/caption]
Unrest began with three weeks of furious anti-government Gen-Z protests.
Mass demonstrations were first sparked by frustration with constant water and power cuts – but grievances bubbled over into general discontent with the government.
On Saturday, an elite unit of Madagascar‘s army called Capsat began disobeying orders and defected to join the youth rebellion.
Capsat attempted to trigger a full mutiny by encouraging other troops to follow – and now claims to control the whole armed forces.
Rajoelina declared an attempted coup was underway and fled the country after a deal with President Macron, radio station RF1 reported.
Crowds began gathering in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, ahead of a scheduled speech as rumours swirled the president would resign.
A late-night address was eventually broadcast on the presidential Facebook page, in which Rajoelina said: “I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life.”
The speech was supposed to be beamed on TV, but the army had reportedly tried to take control of the state broadcaster buildings.
He pleaded for talks to find a peaceful climb down from the tensions and insisted the constitution must not be broken.
His location was not revealed – but reports suggest the president was scooped up by a French military plane.
The group has put forward a new officer to lead the military, which was accepted by the defence minister.
Capsat commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina said the army had responded to the call of the people, but denied a coup had unfolded.
On the streets, the protestors want Rajoelina gone.
Finaritra Manitra Andrianamelasoa, a 24-year-old law student, said: “We hope that he will apologise and genuinely announce his resignation.
A protester uses a slingshot to launch stones[/caption]
Members of Madagascar’s Capsat unit at a ceremony for a dead soldier[/caption]
Protesters vandalise an armoured police vehicle[/caption]
“Afterwards, we can consider organising elections and determine who will be suitable to take the leadership role.”
Last month, Rajoelina tried to quell protests by firing his entire government, including the prime minister, but it was not good.
The president’s office said “an attempt to seize power illegally and by force” had been “initiated”.
A statement said the president “strongly condemns this attempt at destabilisation and calls upon all forces of the nation to unite in defence of constitutional order and national sovereignty”.
The youth rising in Madagascar follows a wave of similar rebellions around the world – including in Morocco, Peru, Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines and most recently Nepal.
There, politicians were hounded and even killed after young people took to the streets to demand change.
The movements, which often take root through social media, appear to have inspired each other.
Protesters march alongside a Madagascar military vehicle[/caption]
Huge crowds gather in the capital Antananarivo[/caption]
