Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has condemned what he said was an attempt to topple his government as fresh protests flared against the political elite and alleged years of misrule.

The Indian Ocean island has been rocked by days of fatal clashes between demonstrators and security forces, who have responded with arrests and tear gas.

Called to action on social media through a so-called Gen Z movement, the protests forced Rajoelina to sack his government on Monday and invite dialogue to restore order.

But that was not enough to placate the anger and demonstrators have demanded the president's resignation over his alleged failure to deliver basic services, including water and electricity.

Coup allegations

"They have been exploited to provoke a coup," the 51-year-old leader said in a live video on his Facebook page on Friday in reference to the mostly young protesters.

"What I want to tell you is that some people want to destroy our country," he said, without naming who was behind the move.

"Countries and agencies paid for this movement to get me out, not through elections, but for profit to take power,’’ he said.

"That's why I tell you to be very careful," he said, also blaming "mass manipulation" on a "cyber attack’’.

Resumed protests

After a 24-hour "strategic" pause in the capital, Antananarivo, protesters mobilised again in the city on Friday with security forces firing tear gas sporadically to prevent them from gathering.

Police pickups sped through the city centre, while shops stayed shut along the capital's main Independence Avenue, AFP journalists saw.

Students who were demonstrating in the northern coastal city of Mahajanga were also dispersed, according to local media. In the south, protests were seen in Toliara and Fianarantsoa.

Rajoelina first came to power in 2009 following a coup sparked by an uprising which ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana.

After not contesting the 2013 election, he was voted back into office in 2018 and re-elected in the 2023 polls.