Madagascar's leader has relocated, saying life was in danger

Kamlesh Bhuckory, Bloomberg News on Oct 13, 2025

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Madagascar’s president said he had sought sanctuary in a “secure location” because of a threat to his life following weeks of anti-government demonstrations, the latest ruler to be challenged by youth-led protesters angry at the status quo.

President Andry Rajoelina didn’t disclose where he had gone, but said in a social media post late Monday that he was overseeing the delivery of power generators to Madagascar, suggesting he had left the country. He didn’t respond to calls to resign.

Radio France International reported earlier that he was evacuated by a French military aircraft on Sunday at the request of President Emmanuel Macron.

The development followed weekend claims by Rajoelina’s office that an attempt to seize power was under way, after an elite army unit sided with anti-government protesters and its soldiers joined them at a mass rally in the capital, Antananarivo.

Macron, speaking with reporters traveling from a summit in Egypt, declined to comment on French involvement, but emphasized the need to ensure that the nation’s youth were not “co-opted by military factions or foreign interference.”

Demonstrations by the so-called Gen Z protesters began last month over water and power shortages, sending thousands of people into the streets and leading to clashes with security forces in which at least 22 people died.

The eruption of anger over a lack of basic services and government corruption mirrors recent backlashes in countries including Morocco, Indonesia, Nepal and Kenya against ruling elites.

Rajoelina first seized power in 2009 with the backing of the military. He stepped down in 2014, but reclaimed the presidency by winning elections in 2018 and then secured another term in a disputed vote in 2023.

He sacked the government last month in an attempt to appease the protesters and last week appointed an army general as prime minister.

But the balance shifted away from the 51-year-old on Saturday, when an army unit known as CAPSAT declared its support for the protesters. The faction was instrumental in propelling Rajoelina to his first stint in office 16 years ago.

The Senate appointed a new leader on Monday, who according to the constitution would act as a caretaker head of state should the president depart office.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries on the planet, with four out of five residents living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. There have been several military coups in the Indian Ocean island nation, which lies off the coast of Mozambique, since it gained independence from France in 1960.

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(With assistance from Samy Adghirni, Helen Nyambura and Paul Richardson.)