Madagascar’s political landscape erupted into uncertainty after President Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled the country amid mounting protests demanding his resignation.
In a dramatic turn, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, the opposition leader in parliament, claimed that Rajoelina departed on Sunday after segments of the military switched allegiance to protestors.
“We contacted presidency staff, they confirmed he had left,” Randrianasoloniaiko told Reuters. Observers noted Rajoelina has been absent from public view since the previous Wednesday.
A military informant speaking to Reuters said the president was transported on a French military aircraft.
Meanwhile, French broadcaster RFI speculated he may have secured an agreement with President Emmanuel Macron.
Sources within the presidency revealed that Rajoelina had intended to address the nation at 17:30 GMT on Monday, but pulled back following threats that soldiers would seize control of state television.
The address had already been postponed once before, casting doubts on the regime’s stability.
Before his exit, Rajoelina had publicly warned of an “ongoing plot” to usurp power illegally as mutinies gained ground across the armed forces.
Hours after reports of his departure surfaced, CAPSAT, an elite army unit, declared that it had taken control of Madagascar’s military hierarchy.
The unit asserted command over land, air, and naval forces, a sweeping shift in the balance of power.
In Antananarivo, uniformed soldiers were met with cheers from anti-government protesters.
Many stood side by side with young demonstrators, signalling overt support for the public backlash against the presidency.
One observer said: “It’s not just a protest any more, the army and youth are marching together.” The scene underscored the extraordinary scale of the upheaval.
The fallout spread beyond the presidency. Christian Ntsay, Rajoelina’s former prime minister, and Maminiaina Ravatomanga, a business associate, also departed for Mauritius on Sunday, as confirmed by that country’s government. Their urgent exit raised fresh questions about loyalty within Rajoelina’s inner circle.
Despite the military presence and the president’s claims of a coup attempt, the day passed without overt violence.
The conflicting signals, from the presidency, military, and protestors, left many in Madagascar and abroad unsure which direction the country will take.
The developments mark a radical escalation after three weeks of youth-led demonstrations that have shaken the archipelago state.
What began with protests over political grievances now seems to have spiralled into a constitutional crisis.
According to Reuters, at present, no authoritative confirmation exists regarding Rajoelina’s current location or whether he intends to return.
What’s clear is that Madagascar now stands at a crossroads, with military power, public fervour, and political legitimacy all in flux.
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