Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly fled the country aboard a French military aircraft after losing the backing of a powerful army unit that joined nationwide youth-led protests against corruption and poverty.
French state radio RFI reported on Monday that Rajoelina—who also holds French citizenship—was flown out of the capital, Antananarivo, following an arrangement with French President Emmanuel Macron. The report suggested that he may have traveled to Dubai.
The president had been scheduled to address the nation at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT), according to a statement from the presidency on Facebook.
Rajoelina, 51, who first served as president from 2009 to 2014 before returning to power in 2023, became increasingly isolated after the elite Capsat unit—instrumental in his initial rise to power—joined thousands of young activists from the “Gen Z Madagascar” movement in demanding his resignation. The movement, which accuses the government of corruption and mismanagement, had earlier rejected his invitation for dialogue.