Amid growing unrest in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly been evacuated by a French military aircraft, according to local media.
The operation, said to have taken place on October 12, comes as the country experiences an unprecedented wave of citizen mobilization calling for Rajoelina’s resignation.
The French outlet RFI reported that Rajoelina was exfiltrated as part of an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Malagasy leader, who is expected to address the nation on Monday evening, is said to have transited through Réunion Island before heading to an undisclosed destination.
However, the French Embassy in Madagascar has denied any military intervention, clarifying that “no French military intervention is underway or planned in Madagascar” and reaffirming its “full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the island nation.
Rajoelina’s reported departure comes at a critical juncture, with widespread protests and a historic citizen mobilization intensifying across the capital.
The protests, led by the youth collective “Gen Z Madagascar,” are calling for substantial reforms, including better access to essential services such as water, electricity, health, and education.
The demonstrators are also demanding the president’s resignation.
The situation has grown increasingly complex, with significant involvement from military figures. Senior officers, including General Démosthène Pikulas, the newly appointed army chief of staff, General Lylison Roland de René, and Colonel Mikaël Randrianirina, joined the protests, highlighting the deepening political crisis.
Despite the military presence, Colonel Randrianirina insisted that he holds “neither executive power nor control of the army,” distancing himself from any thoughts of a coup d’état and emphasizing his role as an officer.
The protests have garnered support from various opposition figures, including former President Marc Ravalomanana and ex-Senate President Rivo Rakotovao, further underscoring the political dimensions of the unrest.
As President Rajoelina prepares to address the nation, the eyes of Madagascar and the international community are firmly fixed on the outcome of these unprecedented events, which have cast doubt on the future stability of the nation’s leadership.
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