His departure follows unrest and Army unit’s claim of control over armed forces.

On Monday, French outlet RFI reported that Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina left the country on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft.

RELATED:

Madagascar Protesters Press On Despite Minister’s Dismissal Amid Blackouts Crisis

“His destination has not yet been disclosed, amid growing speculation about his whereabouts following unrest in the capital,” online outlet Africalix said.

Earlier, the Office of the Presidency had announced that Rajoelina would address the nation in a speech scheduled for 7 p.m. local time Monday.

On Sunday, an insurrectionary military unit, the Army Personnel and Services Administration Corps (CAPSAT), claimed to have taken control of the Armed Forces after urging soldiers on Saturday to “disobey” any orders to open fire on the population.

CAPSAT previously took part in the 2009 coup that overthrew then-President Marc Ravalomanana and brought Rajoelina to power for the first time. The president has not appeared in public since CAPSAT expressed support for the protests on Saturday.

Although the demonstrations initially began over recurring water and power outages, the movement—driven by Generation Z youth—became anti-government and demanded Rajoelina’s resignation. The organizers rejected the president’s proposal for a national dialogue.

Inspired by recent youth-led movements in countries such as Kenya and Nepal, the latest protests were the worst the Indian Ocean island had seen in years and represented the biggest challenge Rajoelina had faced since his reelection in 2023.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – RFI – Africalix

IN THIS ARTICLE