Nigeria TV Info — Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina Flees Country Amid Widespread Gen Z Protests

Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina, has fled the country, opposition leaders and officials confirmed on Monday — marking the second time in recent weeks that youth-led protests have toppled a government amid a global wave of Gen Z unrest.

According to Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, the opposition leader in Madagascar’s parliament, Rajoelina left the country on Sunday after several army units defected and joined demonstrators.

“We called the staff of the presidency and they confirmed that he left the country,” Randrianasoloniaiko told Reuters, adding that the president’s current location remains unknown.

The president’s office, which had earlier announced that Rajoelina would address the nation by 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Monday, did not respond to requests for comment.

A military source disclosed that Rajoelina departed Madagascar aboard a French military aircraft on Sunday. French broadcaster RFI reported that he had reached an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron before his departure.

According to the source, a French Army Casa aircraft landed at Sainte Marie Airport in Madagascar, shortly followed by a helicopter that transferred Rajoelina into the plane. “Five minutes later, the helicopter arrived and transferred its passenger into the Casa — that passenger was Rajoelina,” the source added.

Protests first broke out on September 25, initially over water and electricity shortages, but quickly grew into a larger movement condemning corruption, poor governance, and lack of basic services in the Indian Ocean island nation, a former French colony.

The situation remains tense, with uncertainty surrounding who will assume control of the government and what steps the military may take next.