Some parts of the military are switching sides as Gen Z-led protests shake the country, and Madagascar's President, Andry Rajoelina, is...
President Trump was supposed to speak to the country on Monday night, but he had to cancel his speech a second time when news came out that troops were planning to take over the state TV station.
Reuters says Rajoelina hasn't been seen in public since Wednesday, which has led to a lot of talk about where he is.
Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, the leader of the opposition, said that Rajoelina left the country on Sunday after several army units joined the protests. Randrianasoloniaiko told Reuters, "We called the presidential staff and they confirmed that he left the country." According to RFI, the president left on a French military plane, and a military source said that he had made plans with French President Emmanuel Macron before leaving.
Before he was said to have left, Rajoelina had said that some parts of the military were planning a coup because they joined the protests led by young people. Soon after, an elite army unit called CAPSAT said it had taken over the country's military leadership.
Small protests against lack of water and electricity have turned into a national movement against fraud, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.
The unrest, which has been called "Gen Z Madagascar," has spread to several towns. The UN says at least 22 people have died, but the government says that number is wrong.