Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country under the cover of darkness, sparking outrage and allegations of cowardice as a military rebellion seizes control of key state institutions.
In a late-night speech streamed on Facebook from an undisclosed location, Rajoelina admitted he had left Madagascar, claiming it was “to protect his life” after elite soldiers from the powerful CAPSAT unit defected and joined mass anti-government protests in the capital.
The president, however, stopped short of resigning—despite effectively vanishing from power and reportedly escaping aboard a French military aircraft. The French government has refused to confirm or deny the report. Rajoelina, who controversially holds French citizenship, is now being accused by critics of fleeing “like a foreign-backed fugitive.”
“This is not leadership—it’s desertion,” said one protest organizer. “The people rose up, and instead of facing them, he ran.”
Protests led by Gen Z youth began three weeks ago over water shortages and blackouts, but rapidly escalated into a nationwide uprising fueled by anger over corruption, poverty, and allegations of stolen elections.
The turning point came over the weekend, when CAPSAT forces announced they were siding with demonstrators and declared themselves in control of the military.
Defense officials loyal to Rajoelina have either vanished or accepted the CAPSAT takeover. The president’s closest adviser and former prime minister have also fled to Mauritius, prompting fears that the regime has collapsed in all but name.
Though Rajoelina called for “dialogue” and for the constitution to be respected, he offered no roadmap forward and gave no indication of returning to Madagascar.
The African Union has urged calm, while the U.S. Embassy warned citizens to remain sheltered due to what it called a “highly volatile” situation.
The same military unit now leading the rebellion once helped install Rajoelina in power during the 2009 coup. History, it seems, has come full circle—only this time, the president is the one forced into exile.
