Power Struggles and Youth Protests Shake Madagascar's Leadership

Madagascar faces unrest as youth-led protests gain military backing, challenging President Rajoelina. Officers supporting the protests have taken control of the paramilitary gendarmerie, escalating tension. With roots in grassroots grievances, the protests have erupted into a significant crisis for Rajoelina, whose re-election in 2023 now faces its sternest test.

In a surge of political turmoil, Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina is set to address the nation amid rising protests challenging his governance. Military backing of the youth-led demonstrations marks a pivotal shift in the island nation's power dynamics.

On Monday, military officers allied with the protesters assumed control over the island's paramilitary gendarmerie. This takeover comes amid increasing protests since September, initially sparked by grassroots issues but now posing the gravest challenge to Rajoelina since his re-election earlier this year.

The backdrop of this unrest is a nation where economic stagnation prevails, exacerbated by poverty and a youthful median age, underpinning the grievances fueling these protests. Madagascar's economy, while partly driven by vanilla exports, remains vulnerable, further complicating political stability.

(With inputs from agencies.)