Madagascar’s ousted president, Andry Rajoelina, has for the first time confirmed that he fled the country following a military-led takeover that came after weeks of nationwide protests and political unrest.
In a statement released late Wednesday, the presidency said Rajoelina left between October 11 and 12 after receiving “explicit and extremely serious threats” to his life, which coincided with plans for an overseas mission.
According to media reports, the 51-year-old leader was evacuated on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft. On Monday, he announced that he was in a “safe location,” without revealing his whereabouts.
Rajoelina, who first rose to power after a 2009 military-backed coup, accused the National Assembly of working with the armed forces to unseat him.
Meanwhile, the officers behind the power grab announced that Colonel Michael Randrianirina would be sworn in as president on Friday.
The Gen Z movement, which launched protests on September 25 over chronic water and power shortages, welcomed the military’s intervention.
However, the international community has condemned the development. The United Nations described the action as an “unconstitutional” seizure of power, while the African Union announced Madagascar’s immediate suspension from the continental body.
Madagascar now joins a growing list of African nations that have experienced military takeovers since 2020, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and Gabon.
