Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina condemned on Friday what he said was an attempt to topple his government as fresh protests flared against the political elite and years of misrule.

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

Called to action on social media through a movement called “Gen Z”, 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 failure to deliver basic services, including water and electricity.

“They have been exploited to provoke a coup,” the 51-year-old leader said in a live video on

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