Attempted coup ‘initiated’ in Madagascar, says president

Madagascar has in recent weeks seen the most significant unrest in year (Alexander Joe/AP)

An attempted coup is under way in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, the country’s president has said, a day after members of an elite army unit were seen joining youth-led protests against the government.

Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of the most significant unrest seen for years, with protests led by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar”. The United Nations has said the demonstrations have left 22 people dead and dozens injured, though the government has disputed this number.

A statement from President Andry Rajoelina’s office on Sunday said it “wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force” has been “initiated”.

Unrest has been ongoing in Madagascar since last month (Alexander Joe/AP)

It added: “In view of the extreme gravity of this situation, the president of the Republic… 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 statement did not identify who was attempting to overthrow the government, but members of the elite Capsat military unit joined the protests against Mr Rajoelina on Saturday.

The protests against service failures and alleged government corruption and nepotism have been going on since September 25.

Mr Rajoelina first came to prominence as the transitional leader of Madagascar following a 2009 coup. He was first elected president in 2018 and was reelected for a second term in 2023.