Sawt Falasteen - Madagascar's president denounces 'coup' attempt in day of fresh protests

The poor Indian Ocean island has been rocked by days of fatal clashes between demonstrators and security forces, who have responded with arrests, tear gas and bullets.

Called to action on social media through a movement called "Gen Z", the protests forced Rajoelina to sack his government on Monday and invite dialogue to restore order.

But that was not enough to placate the anger and demonstrators have demanded the president's resignation over his failure to deliver basic services, including water and electricity.

"They have been exploited to provoke a coup," the 51-year-old leader said in a live video on his Facebook page Friday in reference to the mostly young protesters.

"What I want to tell you is that some people want to destroy our country," he said, without naming who was behind the move.

"Countries and agencies paid for this movement to get me out, not through elections, but for profit to take power like other African countries.

"That's why I tell you to be very careful," he said, also blaming "mass manipulation" on a "cyberattack".

After a 24-hour "strategic" pause in the capital, Antananarivo, protesters mobilised again in the city on Friday.

Security forces firing tear gas sporadically to prevent them from gathering.

Police pickups sped through the city centre, while shops stayed shut along the capital's main Independence Avenue, AFP journalists saw.

Students who were demonstrating in the northern coastal city of Mahajanga were also dispersed, according to local media. In the south, protests were seen in Toliara and Fianarantsoa.

- Taking 'all measures' -

The Gen Z movement demanded on Friday to be "consulted and heard" in the choice of a new premier and called for an investigation into the police response to the demonstrations.

"We are giving the president 24 hours to respond favourably to these demands," said the group, vowing to take "all necessary measures".

A day earlier, the movement had announced its spokespeople and outlined its motivations.

It has adopted tactics seen in recent youth-led movements in Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines, including the use of the pirate skull symbol from the Japanese anime "One Piece".

In a rare show of unity, the political opposition has thrown its support behind Gen Z, while several unions, including the national water and electricity workers, have called a general strike as advocated by the group.

At least 22 people have been killed and hundreds injured since the protests started, according to the United Nations, a toll the government has denied as based on rumours or misinformation.

It is the latest bout of unrest to hit Madagascar since independence from France in 1960, posing the most significant challenge yet to Rajoelina's tenure since his 2023 re-election.

- Dialogue -

Rajoelina, a former mayor of Antananarivo, said earlier he had met Madagascan religious leaders in a bid to quell the crisis and restore order.

"We prayed for our nation together," the president wrote on social media, adding that he had also met diplomats and representatives from the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations.

The media mogul first came to power in 2009 following a coup sparked by an uprising which ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana.

After not contesting the 2013 election under international pressure, he was voted back into office in 2018 and re-elected in 2023 in contested polls.

Despite its natural resources, Madagascar remains among the world's poorest countries.

Nearly three-quarters of its population of 32 million were living below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank.

Corruption is widespread, with the country ranking 140th out of 180 in Transparency International's index.

C.AbuSway--SF-PST