Madagascar in Crisis: Gen Z Protests Force President Rajoelina to Flee
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country amid a wave of Gen Z-led protests that began over water and power shortages but escalated into a broader movement demanding political change and accountability.
The protests, which started on September 25, have resulted in at least 22 deaths and dozens of injuries, according to the United Nations. Rajoelina’s grip on power weakened significantly after CAPSAT, an elite military unit that previously helped him seize power in a 2009 coup, defected to the protesters.
The unit declared it would no longer fire on protesters and escorted thousands through the capital, Antananarivo. A faction of the paramilitary gendarmerie also defected, naming its own chief in a formal ceremony attended by senior government officials.
In a video address, Rajoelina claimed he had relocated to a “safe location” for his protection, but refused to reveal his whereabouts or resign. “I will not allow Madagascar to be destroyed,” he said defantly.
The opposition leader in parliament confirmed Rajoelina’s departure, stating that the president left the country on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft, and his current location remains unknown.
The protests are driven by widespread frustration over corruption, poor governance, and economic stagnation. Madagascar, with a median age under 20, faces significant challenges, including poverty and lack of opportunities.
According to the World Bank, the country’s GDP per capita has fallen by 45% since independence in 1960. The international community is watching closely, with concerns about potential power struggles and instability in the region.
The presidency has gone silent, and the Senate president has been dismissed and replaced temporarily by Jean André Ndremanjary. #Madagascar in Crisis: Gen Z Protests Force President Rajoelina to Flee#
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