Madagascar has plunged into political turmoil after President Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled the country amid mounting protests and a dramatic military mutiny. Sources within the presidency and opposition confirmed that Rajoelina departed Antananarivo late Sunday aboard a French military aircraft, following the defection of CAPSAT, an elite army unit that announced it had assumed control of the nation’s armed forces. His planned national address was abruptly cancelled for the second time in a week, as thousands of demonstrators filled the streets demanding his resignation.
The crisis erupted after weeks of escalating unrest, led largely by frustrated youth protesting corruption, economic stagnation, and deteriorating living conditions. Soldiers were seen joining civilians in major cities, chanting “Rajoelina must go,” as power and communication lines were disrupted across the capital. Reports indicate that Christian Ntsay, the former prime minister, and Maminiaina Ravatomanga, a close ally of the president, also fled to Mauritius on Sunday, further deepening the leadership vacuum.
As tensions rise, Madagascar’s political future hangs in the balance. CAPSAT’s commanders have declared their intention to restore order and initiate dialogue with civil society, though fears persist of a full-scale military takeover. International observers, including the United Nations and African Union, have urged restraint and called for a peaceful transition. The developments mark the most severe political crisis in Madagascar since Rajoelina’s first ascent to power in a 2009 coup.
