Madagascar President Condemns Alleged Coup Attempt Amid Escalating Youth-Led Protests

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina issued a strong condemnation on Friday regarding what he described as an attempted coup d'état following several days of fatal protests led by young citizens demonstrating against the political establishment and long-standing governmental mismanagement.

The ongoing demonstrations began on September 25 in Antananarivo, the capital city, initially triggered by frustrations over inconsistent electricity supply and water shortages. These protests have subsequently expanded to additional regions across the Indian Ocean island nation.

Protesters have consistently called for President Rajoelina's resignation during these demonstrations.

Mobilized through social media platforms under the "Gen Z" movement, these protests compelled Rajoelina to dismiss his government and extend an invitation for dialogue to restore stability.

"The young protesters have been manipulated to facilitate a coup attempt," stated the 51-year-old president, referring to the demonstrators who have publicly expressed their dissatisfaction.

"What I must convey to you is that certain individuals aim to destabilize our nation," Rajoelina declared during a live broadcast on his Facebook page, though he refrained from specifically identifying the alleged orchestrators.

"Various countries and organizations have financially supported this movement to remove me from office, not through democratic elections, but for their own benefit to seize power, similar to scenarios in other African nations. This is why I urge you to exercise extreme caution," he explained.

According to United Nations reports, at least 22 fatalities and hundreds of injuries have occurred since the protests commenced—figures that government officials have disputed as being based on unverified information or deliberate misinformation.

This represents the most recent period of instability to affect Madagascar since its independence from France in 1960, presenting the most significant challenge to Rajoelina's leadership since his re-election in 2023.