Madagascar’s ousted President Andry Rajoelina has confirmed for the first time that he fled the country following a military-led power grab that has thrown the island nation into political turmoil.
In a statement released late Wednesday, the presidency said Rajoelina left Madagascar between October 11 and 12 after receiving “explicit and extremely serious threats” against his life. The threats reportedly emerged just as the 51-year-old leader was preparing for an overseas mission.
Media reports indicated that Rajoelina was evacuated aboard a French military aircraft on Sunday, though his exact location remains undisclosed. On Monday, he announced he was in a “safe place,” without elaborating further.
Rajoelina, who first came to power through a military-backed coup in 2009, accused the National Assembly of colluding with the armed forces to force him out of office.
The military faction, led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, has since declared him as the new president and announced plans for his swearing-in ceremony on Friday. The takeover followed weeks of protests driven by the Gen Z movement, which began on September 25 over poor access to water and electricity.
The international community has widely condemned the events. The United Nations described the situation as an “unconstitutional change of power,” while the African Union on Wednesday suspended Madagascar with immediate effect in response to the coup.
Madagascar now joins the growing list of former French colonies that have experienced military takeovers since 2020, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea.
What You Should Know
Andry Rajoelina, a former DJ-turned-politician, has long been a polarizing figure in Madagascar’s politics. His second ousting mirrors his own 2009 rise to power through military backing, underscoring the island’s fragile democracy.
The new military leadership, under Colonel Randrianirina, has pledged to hold elections within two years, but uncertainty looms over the nation’s political stability and international standing.
