Madagascar's president, Andry Rajoelina, who also has French citizenshipreportedly fled the African island nation in a French military aircraft following an agreement between the Madagascan head of state and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Guardian

Anadolu Ajansı

Madagascar's president, Andry Rajoelina, who also has French citizenshipreportedly fled the African island nation in a French military aircraft following an agreement between the Madagascan head of state and French President Emmanuel Macron.

This comes as Rajoelina announced on Sunday that "an attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was underway, as the elite CAPSAT military unit claimed control over all branches of the armed forces and installed General Demosthene Pikulas as army chief.

Reuters

Al Arabiya

This comes as Rajoelina announced on Sunday that "an attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was underway, as the elite CAPSAT military unit claimed control over all branches of the armed forces and installed General Demosthene Pikulas as army chief.

The CAPSAT unit, which helped bring Rajoelina to power in a 2009 coup, joined protesters on Saturday and urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and refuse to shoot civilians, escorting thousands of demonstrators to May 13 Square in Antananarivo.

France 24

Al Jazeera

The CAPSAT unit, which helped bring Rajoelina to power in a 2009 coup, joined protesters on Saturday and urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and refuse to shoot civilians, escorting thousands of demonstrators to May 13 Square in Antananarivo.

While Rajoelina's whereabouts are not publicly known, French media reports suggest that he arrived in Dubai after a stopover on the French island of Réunion.

The New York Times

Africanews

While Rajoelina's whereabouts are not publicly known, French media reports suggest that he arrived in Dubai after a stopover on the French island of Réunion.

A unit of the paramilitary gendarmerie reportedly also broke ranks with the government on Sunday, stating that the gendarmerie should protect people rather than defend the interests of a few individuals, and announced coordination with CAPSAT headquarters.

ReliefWeb

The Business Standard

A unit of the paramilitary gendarmerie reportedly also broke ranks with the government on Sunday, stating that the gendarmerie should protect people rather than defend the interests of a few individuals, and announced coordination with CAPSAT headquarters.

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2025/madagascar-imposes-curfew-after-utility-protests-turn-violent">Youth-led protests began on September 25</a> over water and electricity shortages, but expanded into broader demands for President Rajoelina's resignation, with the United Nations reporting that "at least 22 had been killed" though the government disputes this figure.

UN News

Nilepost

Youth-led protests began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages, but expanded into broader demands for President Rajoelina's resignation, with the United Nations reporting that "at least 22 had been killed" though the government disputes this figure.

An illegal coup attempt is underway, as rogue military units abandon their duty and join violent protesters threatening national stability. Elite forces are coordinating an armed takeover while the president maintains control and offers dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully. The military breakdown endangers Madagascar's democratic institutions and threatens to plunge the nation into chaos.

An illegal coup attempt is underway, as rogue military units abandon their duty and join violent protesters threatening national stability. Elite forces are coordinating an armed takeover while the president maintains control and offers dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully. The military breakdown endangers Madagascar's democratic institutions and threatens to plunge the nation into chaos.

The Voice of Africa

Rajoelina Calls for National Talks as Madagascar Faces Widening Unrest

Madagascar president warns of coup attempt as more soldiers join protests

There's a 13% chance that there will be a successful coup d’état in Africa before December 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 13% chance that there will be a successful coup d’état in Africa before December 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Madagascar: President Flees to France

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Madagascar: President Flees to France

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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