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Military members have threatened to take control of the national TV building in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to speak to the nation, his staff says, amid unverified accounts that he has fled the country.

A foreign military jet is said to have evacuated Rajoelina from the island island to an secret location, following a fortnight of nationwide protests designed to ousting him from power.

His ineffective attempts to appease young protesters - called "Gen Z Mada" - saw him fire his complete government and make additional concessions to no avail.

On Sunday, his staff said an effort was ongoing to push him out of power. He has not been seen in visible since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's planned speech to the nation has been delayed several times - it was first planned at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a influential army division - referred to as CAPSAT - that supported install Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to challenge him by announcing itself in charge of all the armed forces, while several of its personnel aligned with demonstrators on the roads of the capital, Antananarivo.

Subsequent to a conference of army commanders on Monday, the current Military Commander appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the citizens that the security forces were cooperating to preserve order in the country.

By Monday night, the officer was at national TV facilities trying to resolve the crisis, according to a communication from the presidency.

Speaking on understanding of privacy, a high-ranking official in Madagascar's major rival party informed that Madagascar was now practically being run by CAPSAT.

The TIM party has also said it aims to bring impeachment proceedings against Rajoelina for "desertion of office".

Multiple of Rajoelina's top advisors have fled to nearby Mauritius. They comprise previous Cabinet Head Richard Ravalomanana and the entrepreneur Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Regardless of its abundant natural resources, Madagascar is counted as the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of people there reside below the poverty line, while data shows approximately one-third of people have access to electricity.

The demonstrations commenced over anger with repeated water and power interruptions, then increased to reflect broader unhappiness with Rajoelina's administration over significant unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.

At least 22 people were fatally injured and in excess of 100 hurt in the opening days of the demonstrations, although the government has rejected these figures.

Witnesses report police opening fire on protesters with lethal rounds. In one case, a baby succumbed from respiratory issues after being subjected to tear gas.

Madagascar has been rocked by numerous rebellions since it gained independence in 1960, comprising large-scale protests in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to leave office and saw Rajoelina brought into office.

At the age of just 34 at the period, Rajoelina became Africa's youngest leader - going on to rule for four years, then coming back to power once more after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was born into wealth and, before entering politics, had established himself for himself as an entrepreneur and DJ - setting up a radio station and an advertising company during this period.

But his sharp-suited, youthful appeal rapidly diminished, as claims of cronyism and established corruption became unshakeable.

Additional information about Madagascar's situation:

• About the Gen Z demonstrators who seek to compel Madagascar's head of state from power
• Military commander named as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z demonstrations