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Armed forces have declared intention to seize the government TV headquarters in Madagascar as Leader Andry Rajoelina was due to make statement to the nation, his office says, amid unconfirmed accounts that he has left the country.

A international military aircraft is believed to have airlifted Rajoelina from the Indian Ocean island to an secret location, following a fortnight of countrywide demonstrations aimed at ousting him from power.

His ineffective efforts to appease young demonstrators - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him dismiss his entire government and make other compromises to no avail.

On Sunday, his office said an endeavor was under way to push him from power. He has not been spotted in public since Wednesday.

Rajoelina's planned statement to the nation has been postponed multiple times - it was originally scheduled at 1900 national time (1600 GMT).

Over the weekend, a significant army division - called CAPSAT - that assisted install Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to weaken him by proclaiming itself in command of all the armed forces, while several of its officers aligned with protesters on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo.

After a conference of military leaders on Monday, the recently appointed Chief of Army Staff appointed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, promised the citizens that the security forces were collaborating to preserve peace in the state.

By Monday night, the commander was at national TV building working to address the emergency, according to a communication from the presidency.

Communicating on basis of confidentiality, a high-ranking official in Madagascar's largest opposition party informed that Madagascar was now effectively being governed by CAPSAT.

The TIM party has additionally announced it plans to bring removal procedures against Rajoelina for "desertion of office".

Several of Rajoelina's close associates have escaped to nearby Mauritius. They include ex- Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Despite its abundant raw materials, Madagascar is counted as the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of residents there exist below the impoverishment threshold, while data shows about one-third of individuals have access to electricity.

The rallies started over frustration with frequent water and power outages, then increased to demonstrate wider unhappiness with Rajoelina's government over high unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.

At least 22 people were lost their lives and over 100 injured in the initial days of the rallies, although the administration has disputed these figures.

Witnesses describe security officers opening fire on demonstrators with live ammunition. In one case, a infant died from smoke inhalation after being affected by tear gas.

Madagascar has been shaken by several uprisings since it gained independence in 1960, including large-scale demonstrations in 2009 that compelled then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and saw Rajoelina placed into office.

At the age of just 34 at the moment, Rajoelina became Africa's least experienced leader - continuing to lead for four years, then returning to power again after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was coming from wealth and, prior to pursuing politics, had established himself for himself as an business owner and DJ - creating a radio station and an advertising company in the process.

But his sharp-suited, youthful appeal quickly diminished, as accusations of cronyism and entrenched corruption became persistent.

Additional information about Madagascar's crisis:

• About the Gen Z activists who seek to compel Madagascar's president from power
• Military commander appointed as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z rallies