After a series of protests by young people erupted domestically, opposition leaders and government officials in the African island nation of Madagascar announced on Monday (October 13) that the president has fled the country and his whereabouts are unknown.
According to Reuters, this is the second time in recent weeks of ongoing global generation Z protests that young protestors have overturned a government. The leader of the parliamentary opposition, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, stated that President Andry Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday (October 12) after the military rebelled and declared their support for the protestors.
“We called the staff at the presidential palace, and they confirmed that the president has left the country,” he told Reuters.
The president’s office had previously announced that Rajoelina would address the nation at 7 p.m. on Monday. The Minister of Public Security stated that the president’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
A military source cited by Reuters revealed that Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft.
The source mentioned that a French Army “Casa” plane landed at Sainte-Marie Airport in Madagascar on Sunday. Within five minutes, a helicopter arrived, and then a “person” was transferred onto the Casa aircraft. Rajoelina was the passenger boarding the French military plane.
The Financial Times also confirmed this information. Rajoelina holds dual French and Malagasy citizenship.
Reports from Radio France Internationale (RFI) stated that Rajoelina has reached an agreement with President Macron of France.
On September 25, the former French colony witnessed nationwide protests due to power shortages, quickly escalating into a political movement. The protests voiced discontent over issues such as corruption, poor governance, and high unemployment rates.
Similar protests against ruling elites have occurred recently in countries like Nepal and Morocco. The communist Prime Minister of Nepal was pressured to resign and fled the country.
Inspired by the recent youth movement in Nepal, a group calling themselves the “Madagascar Z Generation” led the protest movement with support from labor unions and civil society groups.
The president had deployed police forces in an attempt to quell the uprising by the Z Generation. According to UN statistics, since September 25, the protests have led to at least 22 fatalities.
Last weekend, the elite unit “CAPSAT,” which assisted Rajoelina in seizing power during the 2009 coup, declared their support for the protestors. The unit members stated they would not use force against the protestors and escorted thousands of demonstrators at the main square in the capital, Antananarivo.
Following this, CAPSAT announced they would take control of the military and appointed a new Army Chief of Staff. This prompted President Rajoelina to issue a warning on Sunday, accusing CAPSAT of attempting to seize power in the African island nation. CAPSAT is in charge of overseeing a significant portion of the military’s ammunition and weapons.
On Monday, military leaders supporting the protest movement took control of the military police. The Senate President was removed from office, and an interim president was appointed.
In the absence of the president, the Senate leader will assume presidential duties until elections can be held.
On Monday, thousands gathered in the capital square, chanting “the president must resign immediately.” According to the constitution, the president can only be removed by resignation or impeachment by the constitutional court.
Reuters reported that 22-year-old hotel worker Adrianarivony Fanomegantsoa stated that he earns 300,000 ariary per month (about $67), barely enough to make ends meet.
“For 16 years, the president and his government have only filled their own pockets, without any achievements, while the people remain impoverished,” he said. “And the young people, the Z Generation, are the ones suffering the most.”
Madagascar has a population of approximately 30 million, with three-quarters living in poverty. The average age of the population is less than 20 years old. According to World Bank data, from independence in 1960 to 2020, the per capita GDP has plummeted by 45%.