Overview

• Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko told Reuters that presidency staff confirmed Andry Rajoelina left Madagascar, and the presidency said he will address the nation at 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT).
• French media reported that Rajoelina was flown out on a French military aircraft, though his current location has not been publicly disclosed.
• The presidency announced that an attempt to seize power illegally is underway after members of the elite CAPSAT unit joined youth-led protests and claimed control of the armed forces.
• A CAPSAT commander, Col. Michael Randrianirina, said his troops exchanged fire with security forces and one of his soldiers was killed, a claim not independently verified.
• The United Nations reports 22 deaths linked to the protests that began over power and water failures, a toll the government disputes, while gendarmerie officers have acknowledged “faults and excesses” during interventions.