President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly fled Madagascar following a dramatic shift in power, after elite military unit CAPSAT joined weeks-long Gen Z-led protests demanding his resignation.
Rajoelina was scheduled to deliver a national address Monday (13 Oct) evening but instead confirmed in a Facebook livestream that he had left for a ‘safe location.’ Though his exact whereabouts remain undisclosed, multiple reports suggest he was flown out on a French military aircraft, possibly under a deal with French President Emmanuel Macron — claims Paris has neither confirmed nor denied. The protests began on 25 September, sparked by frustration over water and power outages. But they quickly grew into a national movement against poverty, corruption, and the high cost of living. The demonstrations, largely mobilized online by Gen Z Madagascar, drew tens of thousands and were later joined by civic groups, unions — and finally, the military.
Tensions escalated over the weekend when CAPSAT, a powerful administrative military unit with a history of political influence, declared it had assumed control over all armed forces. The unit, instrumental in Rajoelina’s rise to power during a 2009 coup, vowed to protect civilians and refused to fire on protesters. As the situation remains volatile, the opposition in parliament has announced impeachment proceedings. Meanwhile, jubilant crowds in capital Antananarivo marched with soldiers, waving flags and chanting for new leadership. Analysts warn this power shift may deepen Madagascar’s cycle of weak civilian rule and strong military influence unless genuine dialogue and reforms follow. “If the coup is successful and Rajoelina is able to be removed from power, the repercussions will be very serious,” said political risk analyst Rose Mumanya Mumanya.