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.