Madagascar’s deposed president, Andry Rajoelina, has confirmed for the first time that he fled the country following a military-led takeover that ended weeks of nationwide protests and plunged the island nation into political turmoil.
In a statement released late Wednesday, the presidency said Rajoelina left the country between October 11 and 12 after receiving what it described as “explicit and extremely serious threats” to his life.
“The Head of State was forced to leave after explicit and extremely serious threats were made against his life,” the statement read.
“These threats came at a time when he was scheduled to embark on an official trip abroad.”
While media reports indicated that the 51-year-old leader was airlifted out of Madagascar aboard a French military aircraft on Sunday, Rajoelina later confirmed that he had taken refuge “in a safe place,” without disclosing his location.
The embattled president accused members of the National Assembly of colluding with the military to orchestrate his removal from office.
“The actions of certain political figures and military leaders clearly demonstrate a coordinated effort to destabilize the government,” Rajoelina alleged.
Military officers involved in the power grab have since announced that their leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, will be sworn in as the new president on Friday.
The coup follows weeks of anti-government demonstrations, largely driven by the country’s youth, who protested against worsening water and electricity shortages. The Gen Z-led movement that spearheaded the demonstrations has expressed support for the military’s intervention, describing it as a “necessary correction.”
The international community has strongly condemned the development.
The United Nations denounced the military takeover as “unconstitutional,” while the African Union on Wednesday announced Madagascar’s immediate suspension from the continental body.
“The African Union rejects any form of unconstitutional change of government. Madagascar is hereby suspended with immediate effect,” the AU said in a statement.
Madagascar now joins a growing list of former French colonies — including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea — that have experienced military coups since 2020, deepening concerns over democratic stability in the region.
Raoelina, a former disc jockey turned politician, first came to power in 2009 following a military-backed coup. His recent ouster marks another chapter in Madagascar’s long struggle with political instability and governance crises.
“I will continue to fight for democracy and the rule of law in our nation,” Rajoelina said in his statement. “No amount of intimidation or threats will silence the will of the Malagasy people.”
