Attempted Coup Is Underway in Madagascar, the Country’s President Says

An attempted coup is underway in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, the country’s president said on Sunday, a day after members of an elite army unit joined youth-led protests against the government and called for the president to step down.

Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of the most significant unrest in years in the nation. The protests are led by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar,” and the United Nations says the demonstrations have left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured. 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.”

“In view of the extreme gravity of this situation, the President of the Republic … strongly condemns this attempt at destabilization and calls upon all forces of the nation to unite in defense of constitutional order and national sovereignty,” Rajoelina’s office said.