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ANTANANARIVO: Backers and foes of Madagascar’s cornered government were set to stage rival rallies in the capital Antananarivo Saturday after deadly youth-led protests the president has termed a coup bid.
Inspired by similar movements in Bangladesh, Nepal and Indonesia, the protests led by an online movement known as Gen Z Mada, have tapped into widespread frustration over poor governance, with demonstrators calling for President Andry Rajoelina to step down.
At least 22 people have been killed and hundreds injured, according to the United Nations, a toll the government has denied as based on rumors or misinformation.
The anti-government group is expected to converge in the center of Antananarivo, where a heavy police presence has been deployed and roadblocks set up.
Supporters of the embattled government are also set to rally in the capital for the first time.
Hundreds of government supporters were making their way to the meeting point, the Coliseum — a Roman-inspired amphitheater inaugurated by Rajoelina after he was first installed in power by the military in 2009 following a popular uprising.
In the northern city of Antsiranana, hundreds of students also marched, according to aAFP journalists.
Rajoelina, who has ignored calls to resigns, on Saturday shared footage of a meeting with trade unions.
The 51-year-old former mayor of Antananarivo on Friday said he was ready to listen to find solutions to problems facing the poor island nation.
He condemned what he said was an attempt to topple his government, without naming who was behind the move.
The protests, sparked by public anger over constant water and power cuts, forced Rajoelina to sack his government on Monday but that was not enough to placate the anger.
They started on September 25 and are the latest bout of unrest in Madagascar since it gained independence from France in 1960, posing the most significant challenge to Rajoelina’s tenure since his 2023 re-election.
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 favorably to these demands,” said the group, vowing to take “all necessary measures.”
Rajoelina first came to power in 2009 following a coup sparked by an uprising that ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana.
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.

KABUL: Afghanistan’s Taliban foreign minister will visit India this month after the UN Security Council Committee temporarily lifted a travel ban, Kabul’s foreign ministry confirmed to AFP on Saturday.
Amir Khan Muttaqi will become the first senior Taliban leader to visit India since they returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of the US military.
The foreign ministry told AFP the minister would go to India “after the Moscow summit” on October 7, which includes representatives from China, India, Iran and Central Asian nations.
The UN Security Council Committee has granted an exemption to the travel ban on Muttaqi, who is under UN sanctions, to allow him to visit New Delhi between October 9 and 16.
India’s point-person on Afghanistan Anand Prakash visited Kabul in April to discuss political and trade relations.
Russia is the only country so far to have officially recognized the Taliban government, which has imposed a strict version of Islamic law.
The Taliban government, which recently released several American and British prisoners, says it wants to have good relations with other countries, notably the United States, despite the 20-year war against US-led forces.
Most countries advise against travel to Afghanistan.
The announcement of the India visit comes just days after the Taliban authorities shut down Afghanistan’s Internet and mobile networks.
The authorities still have not commented on why they imposed a telecoms blackout for 48 hours.