Madagascar’s presidency said an attempt to seize power was underway and an army faction backing anti-government demonstrators claimed it had taken control of the military and named a new commanding officer.

“The presidency of the republic is hereby informing the country and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and democratic principles, is actually under way on the national territory,” the presidency said in a post on social media on Sunday.

Hours later, an army faction instrumental in propelling President Andry Rajoelina to power in 2009 said it was assuming charge of the military and named Major General Démosthène Pikulas as Chief of the General Staff of the Malagasy Armed Forces.

The unit, known as CAPSAT, which the day before had declared its support for the protesters, held a ceremony to mark the appointment in the capital, Antananarivo, attended by several other senior army officers, video footage showed. Pikulas previously ran the country’s main military academy.

“A large part of the military establishment now appears to be rallying behind the CAPSAT,” said Juvence Ramasy, a political analyst at the University of Toamasina. “The army has abandoned its wait-and-see position and is advocating for dialogue and national consultation,” through the church, he said.

The United Nations estimates that at least 22 people have died in clashes between security forces and so-called Gen Z protesters. The demonstrations, which began last month over water and power shortages, mirror confrontations between young people angered by the status quo elsewhere in Africa and Asia.

In another potential sign of power slipping from Rajoelina’s grasp, the nation’s Senate separately announced that Senate President General Richard Ravalomanana had been relieved of his duties.

In a statement announcing the step, it cited “the current political situation in Madagascar and in response to the Malagasy people’s aspirations for stability, justice, and transparent governance.”

The African Union issued a statement calling for calm and said it was following developments in Madagascar with “deep concern.” The Indian Ocean-island nation, which lies off Mozambique, has seen several coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.

Local media said there was an exchange of shots earlier on Sunday between pro-government forces and CAPSAT, hurting three civilians, but the mood in the city was otherwise calm.

Flights canceled

Still, Emirates canceled flights to Madagascar until further notice, citing civil unrest, while Air France suspended its service for two days.

Rajoelina, a former nightclub DJ, has not been seen in public since last week, although his office said that he remained in Antananarivo.

CAPSAT soldiers on Saturday helped demonstrators enter the 13 May Square in the capital, a focal point for political rallies. Video footage showed protesters standing with armed soldiers on a military vehicle to address a large, boisterous crowd.

Local media on the scene said there was an exchange of fire between the CAPSAT troops and pro-government security forces in which a protester and CAPSAT soldier appeared to be fatally wounded.

Sumitomo Corp. of Japan operates the Ambatovy nickel mine and Rio Tinto Plc owns a mineral-sands project in the country, which is also the world’s biggest vanilla producer.

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(With assistance from Dale Crofts and Helen Nyambura.)

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