Military seizes power after President Andry Rajoelina flees

Protesters raised issues including government corruption, access to higher education, the cost of living and poverty, which affects about 75 per cent of the population, according to the World Bank. Although young people led the demonstrations, others also took part, including civic groups and unions.

The turning point came on Saturday, when Randrianirina and CAPSAT troops joined the protests and turned against Rajoelina, which led the president to go into hiding. In a Monday night (Tuesday AEDT) speech broadcast on social media, Rajoelina said he had left the country for a “safe place” in fear for his life.

The protesters, who have been on the streets for weeks and packing a main square since Saturday, have said they were inspired by other Gen Z-led movements that toppled leaders in Nepal and Sri Lanka. The young protesters have made clear they don’t have a leader.

“We do not get a constant supply of electricity and water from the government,” said one protester, Soavololona Faraniaina. “If Madagascan children are studying in darkness, where will the future of this nation be? Where is the wealthy Madagascar that many countries envied?”

CAPSAT is the same military unit that turned against the government in 2009 and helped Rajoelina take power. The unit said over the weekend that it was taking charge of all the armed forces, and new heads of the military and the gendarmerie security forces had been appointed.

Commanders previously denied that they had carried out a coup, and said the people should decide what happens next

But the unit appeared to be in a position of authority in some areas of government decision-making since Saturday, and Rajoelina had called the military’s actions a rebellion against the government and “an attempt to seize power illegally and by force”.

The Australian government’s Smartraveller website says Australians should reconsider the need to travel to Madagascar due to demonstrations and civil unrest.