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Military members have warned to take control of the government TV building in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was scheduled to make statement to the nation, his office confirms, amid unofficial accounts that he has departed from the country.

A French military plane is said to have transported Rajoelina from the African island to an unknown location, following a two weeks of nationwide rallies designed to ousting him out of power.

His unsuccessful efforts to calm young demonstrators - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him fire his complete government and make additional compromises to unsuccessfully.

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

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

Over the weekend, a significant army force - called CAPSAT - that helped install Rajoelina in power in 2009 moved to weaken him by announcing itself in charge of all the armed forces, while several of its personnel aligned with demonstrators on the avenues of the capital, Antananarivo.

After a conference of military officers on Monday, the current Chief of Army Staff installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the people that the armed services were collaborating to preserve stability in the island nation.

By Monday night, the officer was at government TV building trying to address the crisis, according to a statement from the administration.

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

The TIM party has furthermore stated it plans to bring dismissal procedures against Rajoelina for "abandonment of position".

Multiple of Rajoelina's close associates have fled to close Mauritius. They include former Government Leader Richard Ravalomanana and the executive Maminiaina Ravatomanga.

Despite its rich natural resources, Madagascar is counted as the poorest countries in the world. About 75% of citizens there reside below the economic hardship level, while information shows approximately one-third of people have availability to electricity.

The protests started over frustration with frequent water and power cuts, then intensified to reflect broader unhappiness with Rajoelina's regime over high unemployment, corruption, and the financial crisis.

At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the first few days of the demonstrations, although the administration has rejected these statistics.

Eyewitnesses report security officers opening fire on protesters with real bullets. In an instance, a baby succumbed from breathing problems after being exposed to tear gas.

Madagascar has been shaken by numerous uprisings since it achieved independence in 1960, encompassing mass rallies in 2009 that pressured then-President Marc Ravalomanana to step down and saw Rajoelina placed into office.

Being just 34 at the moment, Rajoelina became Africa's most youthful leader - proceeding to govern for four years, then resuming to power again after the 2018 election.

Rajoelina was coming from wealth and, prior to entering politics, had built reputation for himself as an entrepreneur and DJ - establishing a radio station and an advertising company in the process.

But his stylish, baby-faced attraction rapidly waned, as allegations of favoritism and deep-rooted corruption became ongoing.

Additional information about Madagascar's situation:

• About the Gen Z activists who want to pressure Madagascar's leader from power
• Defense officer named as Madagascar PM to calm Gen Z demonstrations