Madagascar is witnessing a Nepal-style unrest. The country’s President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly fled the country as youth-led Gen Z protests escalated, according to the head of the opposition and other officials. Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, leader of the opposition in parliament, told Reuters that Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday after units of the army defected and joined the protesters.
“We called the staff of the presidency and they confirmed that he left the country,” Randrianasoloniaiko said, adding that the president’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
Where is Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina?
Rajoelina had been scheduled to address the nation at 7 PM local time on Monday. The President’s office has not commented on his whereabouts.
However, in a live address on Monday – the first since he reportedly fled – Rajoelina said he was sheltering in a “safe space” following an attempt on his life, AFP reported.
“Since 25 September, there have been attempts on my life and coup attempts. A group of military personnel and politicians planned to assassinate me,” Rajoelina said.
“I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life,” he added.
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What Led To Gen Z Protests in Madagascar
The protests, which began on September 25, were initially sparked by water and power shortages in Madagascar, a former French colony. They rapidly expanded to address broader grievances, including corruption, poor governance, and a lack of basic public services.
The wave of youth-led demonstrations mirrors recent Gen Z movements in other countries, such as Nepal – where the prime minister resigned last month – and Morocco, highlighting a global pattern of young populations challenging ruling elites.
Rajoelina appeared increasingly isolated after losing the support of CAPSAT, an elite military unit that had originally helped him seize power during a 2009 coup.
CAPSAT joined the protesters over the weekend, refusing orders to fire on demonstrators and escorting thousands in Antananarivo’s main square. The unit then announced it was taking charge of the military and appointed a new army chief, prompting Rajoelina to warn on Sunday of a possible seizure of power in Madagascar.
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Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
