Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly left the country amid escalating protests demanding his resignation
Rajoelina was scheduled to address the nation at 17:30 GMT on Monday but postponed the speech after soldiers threatened to seize state television, according to a statement from the presidency.
This marks the second time his address has been delayed, and he has not been seen in public since last Wednesday.
Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, opposition leader in parliament, told Reuters that Rajoelina departed Madagascar on Sunday after parts of the army defected to join the protesters. “We called the staff of the presidency, and they confirmed that he left the country,” he said.
A military source told Reuters that Rajoelina flew out on a French military aircraft, with French radio RFI reporting that he had reached an agreement with President Emmanuel Macron. Meanwhile, Christian Ntsay, the former prime minister, and businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga, a close ally of the president, also flew to Mauritius urgently on Sunday, confirmed the Mauritian government.
Prior to his departure, Rajoelina had warned of an ongoing plot to seize power illegally as soldiers joined youth-led protests. Hours later, CAPSAT, an elite army unit, announced it had taken control of the military command, overseeing all land, air, and naval forces.
On Sunday, soldiers marched alongside anti-government protesters in Antananarivo, signaling a volatile situation following the president’s claim of an attempted coup. The show of support from the military came just hours after the presidency’s warning about an illegal power grab.
Despite the tense standoff, no immediate violence was reported, leaving the allegiance of the armed forces uncertain and the political situation in Madagascar unresolved.
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No be small thing
If the people dont want you RESIGN. Is it by force
Na wa o