Madagascar’s president flees country after ‘Gen Z’ protests topple government

In Madagascar, an opposition leader and several officials have announced that President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country following weeks of “Gen Z” protests. This development marks the second time globally that such protests have led to the downfall of a government.

Opposition leader Setini Randrianasuluniyako told the Reuters news agency, “Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday after some army units split and joined the protesters.” Randrianasuluniyako added, “We spoke with presidential staff, and they confirmed to us that he has left the country,” noting that Rajoelina’s whereabouts are unknown.

He left on a French military aircraft

A military source told Reuters that “Rajoelina left the country on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft.” French radio RFI reported that Rajoelina had reached an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The same source stated, “A Casa-type military aircraft belonging to the French army landed at Sainte-Marie Airport in Madagascar on Sunday. Five minutes later, a helicopter arrived and transferred its passenger to the Casa. That passenger was Rajoelina.”

Army and gendarmerie withdrew their support

According to Reuters, Rajoelina had lost the support of the elite “CAPSAT” unit, which helped him seize power in the 2009 coup. This unit announced over the weekend that it had joined the protesters, refused to open fire on them, and escorted tens of thousands of demonstrators in the capital Antananarivo’s main square.

Following this development, the government announced that the army had taken command and appointed a new chief of staff. Rajoelina, for his part, warned in a statement on Sunday that there was an “attempt to seize power” in the country.

A Reuters correspondent reported that a group of gendarmerie units supporting the protests also took control of the gendarmerie forces on Monday in an official ceremony attended by senior government officials.

Senate appointed an interim head of state

A statement from the Senate announced that the President of the Senate, who was a focus of the protests, had been removed from office and replaced on an interim basis by Jean André Ndermangari. According to the Malagasy constitution, in the absence of the president, the President of the Senate assumes this role and takes over the powers of the head of state until new elections are held.

Protests began with water shortages

In Madagascar, a former French colony, demonstrations that began on September 25 due to water and electricity shortages quickly evolved into a popular movement against corruption, poor governance, and the lack of basic services. Thousands of people gathered in the capital’s square on Monday, chanting, “The president must resign immediately.”