Madagascar President Rajoelina Confirms Departure After Military Takeover

By Deborah Oladapio

Madagascar’s political crisis deepened on Wednesday as President Andry Rajoelina confirmed that he had left the country following what appears to be a military takeover prompted by weeks of youth-led protests.

In a late-night statement released by the presidency, Rajoelina said he departed between October 11 and 12 after receiving “serious threats” to his life. The statement followed multiple media reports that he was flown out of the country on a French military aircraft, though French officials have not publicly confirmed the evacuation.

The 51-year-old leader, who first seized power in a 2009 military-backed uprising before returning through elections in 2019, accused members of the National Assembly of colluding with the military to remove him from office.

Military officers have since announced that Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as president on Friday, after dissolving state institutions earlier in the week.

The takeover came after nearly three weeks of demonstrations that began on September 25, when mostly young citizens—identified with a “Gen Z movement”—took to the streets over water and electricity shortages. The protests soon evolved into broader anger over corruption, inequality, and unemployment.

At least 22 people have been killed since the unrest began, according to United Nations figures.

International reactions have been swift. The African Union announced on Wednesday that Madagascar had been suspended “with immediate effect” for what it described as an unconstitutional change of government, while the United Nations urged all sides to avoid violence and restore civilian rule.

Diplomatic sources told international media that Rajoelina is currently in a “safe location” outside the country, though his precise whereabouts remain undisclosed. In a video address earlier this week, he vowed not to “allow Madagascar to be destroyed,” insisting that he remains the legitimate leader.

Madagascar joins a growing list of African nations—including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea—where military takeovers have disrupted civilian governance since 2020.