ANTANAARIVO: Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina, has reportedly fled the country amid growing nationwide protests and mounting pressure from both civilian demonstrators and the military.
According to French state radio RFI, Rajoelina, 51, was flown out of the capital, Antananarivo, on a French military aircraft late Monday, just hours before he was scheduled to address the nation. The report claimed the president, who also holds French citizenship, left following a deal with French President Emmanuel Macron, and may have been flown to Dubai.
Rajoelina had been expected to deliver a national broadcast at 7 p.m. (4 p.m. GMT) on Monday, according to an official statement from the presidency posted on Facebook.
The embattled leader, who previously ruled Madagascar between 2009 and 2014 before returning to power in 2023, has faced escalating unrest over allegations of corruption, poor governance, and worsening living conditions. His government recently lost the support of a key army unit that sided with the country’s fast-growing youth protest movement, “Gen Z Madagascar.”
The youth-led demonstrations, which began over poverty and social inequality, have expanded into a nationwide call for Rajoelina’s resignation. The movement earlier rejected his invitation for dialogue, accusing his administration of “betraying the people.”
On Monday, thousands of protesters flooded City Hall Square in Antananarivo, waving flags and chanting anti-government slogans. AFP correspondents reported that some demonstrators were seen climbing onto military vehicles as soldiers from the elite CAPSAT unit the same faction that helped Rajoelina seize power in a 2009 coup—joined the protests.
Also seen among the demonstrators were members of the gendarmerie, who have been accused of using excessive force during the near-daily demonstrations.
In a video statement released on social media, several gendarmes admitted to “faults and excesses” in their earlier response to the protests.
According to the United Nations, at least 22 people have been killed since the demonstrations began, many of them during clashes between protesters, criminal gangs, and security forces.
However, the president disputed that figure last week, claiming that there were 12 confirmed deaths, all of whom were looters and vandals.
Tensions escalated further on October 11, when soldiers from the CAPSAT unit released a viral video declaring their refusal to fire on civilians.
Let us join forces military, gendarmes, and police, and refuse to be paid to shoot our friends, our brothers, and our sisters, one soldier said in the video.
“Do not obey orders from superiors who ask you to fire on comrades in arms. Point your weapons at those who order you to kill your own people, the group added.
The crisis traces back to September 19, when two opposition politicians were arrested for planning a protest over chronic power and water shortages, a move that triggered widespread anger across the island nation.
Rajoelina’s departure marks a major turning point in Madagascar’s ongoing political turmoil. The situation remains tense, with soldiers now appearing to align with protesters, raising fears of a potential military takeover or transitional government.
