United News of Bangladesh

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina said he fled the country fearing for his life following a military rebellion, but stopped short of announcing his resignation in a late-night address broadcast on social media Monday. The president’s message — his first public appearance since the uprising began — came after weeks of Gen Z-led anti-government protests that escalated dramatically on Saturday when an elite military unit, the CAPSAT, joined the demonstrations and called for Rajoelina and his ministers to step down. “I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life,” Rajoelina said in the speech, which was delayed for hours after soldiers reportedly tried to seize control of state television buildings. The message was eventually aired on the presidency’s official Facebook page. Rajoelina described the events as “an illegal attempt to seize power” and called for dialogue “to find a way out of this situation,” urging all sides to respect the constitution. He did not disclose how or where he left Madagascar, though reports suggested he was flown out on a French military aircraft — a claim France has not confirmed. The protests, which began on September 25 over severe water and electricity shortages, have grown into a broader movement accusing Rajoelina’s administration of corruption, mismanagement, and repression. The situation marks the most serious unrest in the Indian Ocean island nation of 31 million since Rajoelina himself first rose to power in 2009 after a military-backed coup — led by the same CAPSAT unit that has now turned against him. Military claims control Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a CAPSAT commander, said the unit had “responded to the people’s calls” and now controlled all branches of the armed forces. He denied staging a coup, saying instead that “it’s up to the Madagascan people to decide what happens next.” The defense minister reportedly accepted CAPSAT’s new appointee to lead the military. Randrianirina added that CAPSAT troops had exchanged gunfire with loyalist forces during weekend clashes that left one soldier dead, though large-scale fighting was avoided. Soldiers riding armored vehicles were greeted by cheering crowds in the capital, Antananarivo. Growing international concern The United States Embassy in Antananarivo urged American citizens to remain indoors, describing the situation as “highly volatile and unpredictable.” The African Union also appealed for calm and restraint. The United Nations said at least 22 people had been killed and dozens injured since the protests began, criticizing authorities for their “violent response” to what were initially peaceful demonstrations. The government has disputed the UN’s figures. The movement’s leaders — mostly young people who identify as “Gen Z Madagascar” — have cited poverty, rising living costs, lack of education access, and corruption as their main grievances. Their movement has drawn inspiration from mass protests in Nepal and Sri Lanka that toppled governments in recent years. Nighttime curfews remain in force across Antananarivo and the northern port city of Antsiranana. A recurring political cycle Madagascar, a former French colony, has endured repeated political crises since independence in 1960. Rajoelina, 51, initially came to power following the 2009 coup that ousted then-President Marc Ravalomanana. He was elected president in 2018 and re-elected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by the opposition. Adding to the turmoil, Madagascar’s former prime minister and one of Rajoelina’s top advisers reportedly fled to Mauritius early Sunday. The Mauritian government confirmed their arrival but expressed displeasure that the private aircraft had landed on its soil without prior authorization.  

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina on Sunday said an attempted coup is underway in the Indian Ocean nation, a day after members of an elite army unit joined youth-led demonstrations calling for his resignation. Rajoelina’s office did not provide details on who is behind the coup, and no immediate signs of violence were reported on the streets, although there was a visible military presence. Col. Michael Randrianirina, a commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, denied a coup had occurred but claimed that the unit had taken control of Madagascar’s armed forces and installed Gen. Demosthene Pikulas as the new military leader. “We responded to the people’s call,” Randrianirina told reporters. Pikulas, speaking alongside him, did not clarify whether Rajoelina had been asked to step down, but CAPSAT appeared to hold significant authority. The protests, led by a youth group called “Gen Z Madagascar,” have shaken the country over the past three weeks, leaving at least 22 people dead and dozens injured, according to the United Nations, though the government disputes the toll. Rajoelina’s office said he “wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force has been initiated,” condemning it as a threat to constitutional order and national sovereignty. CAPSAT played a key role in the 2009 military-backed coup that first brought Rajoelina to power as head of a transitional government. The situation escalated on Saturday when CAPSAT soldiers joined protests, calling for Rajoelina and his officials to resign. Randrianirina said his troops had exchanged fire with security forces attempting to disperse demonstrators, resulting in the death of one soldier. The protests, which began last month over electricity and water outages, have evolved into broader demonstrations against the government, citing issues such as poverty, the cost of living, corruption, and limited access to education. Civic groups and trade unions have joined the movement, prompting curfews in the capital, Antananarivo, and other major cities. Rajoelina, 51, first rose to power after the 2009 coup that ousted then-President Marc Ravalomanana. He was elected president in 2018 and re-elected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by opposition parties. On Sept. 29, he attempted to appease protesters by dismissing his entire government, including the prime minister, but demonstrations have continued. The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar advised American citizens to shelter in place amid the “highly volatile and unpredictable” situation, while the African Union called on all parties, civilian and military, to exercise restraint. The Gen Z-led protests were inspired by social movements in Nepal and Sri Lanka and have grown into one of the largest uprisings Madagascar has seen in years, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the government and leadership of Rajoelina.

At least 42 people were killed when a bus crashed in a mountainous area of northern South Africa, authorities said Monday. The accident occurred Sunday on the N1 highway near Louis Trichardt, about 400 kilometers (248 miles) north of the capital, Pretoria. Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation, told News24 that authorities had confirmed 42 deaths, though the exact number of casualties and injuries is still being verified. According to the provincial government, the bus veered off the road along a steep mountain pass and plunged into an embankment. Released images showed the blue bus lying overturned in the slope. The bus, traveling from South Africa’s Eastern Cape, was reportedly carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals en route to their home countries, the Limpopo provincial government said. While the government did not immediately disclose the number of injured, several survivors were reportedly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Source: AP

Burkina Faso has rejected a proposal from the Trump administration to accept deportees from the United States, calling the request “indecent” and contrary to national dignity. Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré said Thursday on national television that Washington had asked whether Burkina Faso would accept non-citizens expelled by the U.S., in addition to its own nationals. “Naturally, this proposal, which we deemed indecent at the time, is totally contrary to the value of dignity which is part of the very essence of the vision of Capt. Ibrahim Traoré,” he said, referring to the country’s military ruler. The announcement came shortly after the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou suspended most visa services for Burkina Faso residents and redirected applications to its embassy in neighboring Togo. Citing a U.S. diplomatic note accusing Burkinabe nationals of visa misuse, Traoré said the embassy’s decision may be a “pressure tactic,” stressing, “Burkina Faso is a land of dignity, not deportation.” Since July, the Trump administration has deported more than 40 people to African countries under a secretive third-country deportation program. Human rights groups say several African nations — including Eswatini, South Sudan, Rwanda and Ghana — have accepted deportees in exchange for U.S. aid ranging from $5 million to $7.5 million.  

Demonstrations led by young people have swept through more than a dozen Moroccan cities for over a week, highlighting widespread frustration with government corruption, limited opportunities, and social inequality. The protests are driven by a leaderless collective called Gen Z 212, named after Morocco’s dialing code. Organizers coordinate mainly on Discord, with about 180,000 core members and spin-off groups staging independent demonstrations. Many participants are under 35, and authorities say a significant portion of detainees are minors. Demonstrators have criticized government spending on World Cup stadiums and infrastructure while essential services such as hospitals, schools, and public health remain underfunded. Morocco has a monthly minimum wage of roughly $300, and in some regions, residents struggle with poor medical care, unpaved roads, and overcrowded classrooms. The recent death of eight women during childbirth in Agadir fueled anger. Protesters have targeted Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and Health Minister Amine Tahraoui, accusing them of corruption and prioritizing private business interests, including World Cup-related projects. Slogans such as “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” and “Freedom, dignity and social justice” have resonated widely. Gen Z 212 recently addressed a letter to King Mohammed VI, urging him to dismiss the government, release detainees, and oversee reforms, while maintaining his role as a stabilizing figure.

At least 25 worshippers were killed and more than 100 injured when scaffolding supporting a church under construction collapsed in Ethiopia’s Amhara region on Wednesday, authorities said. The incident occurred in the morning at Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in northern Ethiopia during an annual celebration of St. Mary. Many worshippers had climbed the wooden scaffolding to view a ceiling mural when the support structure gave way. “We all had gathered in prayers when suddenly the scaffolding collapsed and people started falling from the ceiling,” said witness Mikias Mebratu, who lost three friends in the accident. Gunman attacks Michigan church, kills 4, injures 8 before police shoot him dead Seyoum Altaye, a clinician at a local hospital, confirmed that victims included children and elderly people. “So far we have confirmed 25 dead and over a hundred injured,” he said, adding that the hospital has sought assistance from the Red Cross to treat the injured. Teshale Tilahun, the local administrator, warned that the death toll could rise further. “It is a tragic loss for the community,” he said. Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities work to provide medical care and support to victims’ families. The cause of the scaffolding collapse is under investigation.

Guinea will hold its first presidential election since Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, according to a presidential decree broadcast on state television Saturday. The announcement came a day after the Supreme Court validated the results of a constitutional referendum that could pave the way for Doumbouya to run for president. Guinea is among several West African nations where the military has assumed control and delayed a return to civilian rule. Doumbouya, who has led the country since 2021, had agreed in 2022 to initiate a democratic transition with a deadline of Dec. 31, 2024. The junta’s failure to meet this timeline sparked opposition protests that paralyzed the capital, Conakry, earlier this year. Doumbouya had previously declared he would not seek the presidency, but the newly approved draft constitution allows members of the ruling junta to contest elections. The changes also extend the presidential term from five to seven years, with the possibility of two renewals.

Thousands of young Moroccans staged anti-government protests across at least 11 cities over the weekend, accusing authorities of neglecting health and education while prioritizing preparations for major sporting events, including the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Demonstrators clashed with police in several cities, including Rabat, Marrakech and Casablanca, where arrests were made. Protesters carried slogans such as “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” linking Morocco’s struggling healthcare system with the government’s heavy investment in new and renovated stadiums. The unrest followed a series of local demonstrations earlier this year, with anger intensifying after eight women died while giving birth at a public hospital in Agadir. According to the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, dozens of protesters were detained on Saturday, some of whom reported being physically assaulted. The group said the crackdown reflects an attempt to restrict free expression. Unlike earlier demonstrations led by political groups or trade unions, the latest protests were largely coordinated online by youth movements like “Gen Z 212” and “Morocco Youth Voices,” urging “peaceful and civilized” gatherings. “We want not only reforms in health and education, but an entire system reform,” said Youssef, a 27-year-old engineer in Casablanca, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of arrest. Morocco’s youth—those born between 1995 and 2010—make up the largest segment of the population and have increasingly drawn inspiration from youth-led movements abroad, including recent protests in Nepal. Facing mounting criticism, Health Minister Amine Tahraoui dismissed senior officials in Agadir after the hospital deaths. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, meanwhile, defended government spending, insisting that health reforms and new hospitals were underway. WHO data shows Morocco has just 7.7 medical professionals per 10,000 people—well below the recommended 25—with shortages more acute in poorer regions such as Agadir.

At least 11 children were killed in the Friday drone strike that hit a mosque in the besieged city of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, the U.N. children’s agency said Monday. Local aid groups and activists and the Sudanese army accused the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces of launching the drone that struck the mosque during Fajr prayers early Friday, killing at least 70 people. UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell in the Monday statement called the attack “shocking and unconscionable.” Russell said initial reports indicated that at least 11 children between the ages of 6 and 15 were killed and “many more” injured in the attack, which also damaged nearby homes. The strike in the besieged city of el-Fasher completely destroyed the mosque and many bodies were trapped under rubble, said a worker with the local aid group Emergency Response Rooms on Friday. The worker spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation by the RSF. The strike comes as the army and the RSF are fighting increasingly intense battles as part of the country’s ongoing civil war. The war has killed at least 40,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, displaced as many as 12 million others, and pushed many to the brink of famine. Three doctors also died in the attack, according to the Preliminary Committee of Sudan’s Doctors Trade Union and Sudan Doctors Network. They were among 231 medical personnel killed since the war in Sudan broke out, according to Sudan Doctors Network. “The latest attack has torn apart families and shattered any sense of safety for children who have already suffered so much,” said Russell, adding that the RSF's siege of el-Fasher has trapped children who endure violence and have little access to food, clean water and healthcare while being “forced to witness horrors no child should ever see.” Antoine Gerard, Sudan Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator with the U.N., told The Associated Press on Monday that they are seeing more attacks on civilians now inside el-Fasher, who are also struggling to seek safety outside the city due to the siege and lack of safe routes. “We are quite concerned about targeting civilians, targeting the population and particularly hospital, mosque and schools and any other civilian premises,” he said. In a statement on Sunday, Sudan’s neighboring nation Egypt condemned the drone strike on the mosque and said it “constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, denouncing the targeting of places of worship and innocent civilians in the conflict.” Fighting over the control of el-Fasher and surrounding areas in North Darfur intensified by early April and more than 400 civilians have been killed in RSF attacks in the area since April 10, according to a Friday report by the U.N.'s human rights office. The majority were killed in a major offensive that seized the nearby Zamzam displacement camp. The camp was turned into an RSF military base used to launch assaults on el-Fasher, according to the report.

Polls opened in Guinea on Sunday for a constitutional referendum that could allow the country’s junta leader, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, to contest the presidency, four years after seizing power in a coup and would transition the African nation from military to civilian rule. The referendum, seen as a crucial step in Guinea’s transition from military to civilian rule, is drawing close scrutiny across West Africa, a region increasingly dominated by juntas. Critics, however, denounce the vote as a “power grab” by Doumbouya. Elections are scheduled for December. Some 6.7 million eligible voters to cast a “yes” or “no” vote on a new constitution that would lengthen the presidential term from five to seven years, with the draft constitution requiring at least 50% turnout to be validated. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m. In Conakry, voters queued early, many in festive attire, though the presence of tanks and military barricades underscored the junta’s dominance. The campaign has been marked by rallies, concerts and prayers backing Doumbouya, but opposition voices have been absent. More than 50 political parties were dissolved last year, and three major opposition groups were suspended weeks before the vote. The draft constitution extends presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable twice, and permits junta members to run for office. It also introduces a Senate and allows independent candidates. Rights groups accuse the regime of silencing dissent, disappearing opponents and restricting media. Yet many Guineans credit Doumbouya with building roads and improving services, fueling speculation that he intends to seek the presidency. “Today, the question is about the referendum,” said Gen. Amara Camara, Secretary-General to the Presidency. “When the time comes, we will talk about it.”