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

Madagascar's president, Andry Rajoelina, who also has French citizenship, reportedly 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.

Alarabiya

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Madagascar's President Andry 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.

Madagascar's President Andry 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.</span

France 24 #

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2025/madagascar-appoints-army-general-as-pm-amid-deadly-protests">Newly appointed Prime Minister Ruphin Zafisambo</a> announced on Saturday evening that the government "remains firm" and was ready to "collaborate and listen to all forces — the youth, unions, and the army," warning that the African island nation would not withstand a deepening crisis.

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Newly appointed Prime Minister Ruphin Zafisambo announced on Saturday evening that the government "remains firm" and was ready to "collaborate and listen to all forces — the youth, unions, and the army," warning that the African island nation would not withstand a deepening crisis.

President Rajoelina's whereabouts were unknown as of Sunday, with many believing he had left the country, while his office maintained he was managing national affairs and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis through peaceful means.

President Rajoelina's whereabouts were unknown as of Sunday, with many believing he had left the country, while his office maintained he was managing national affairs and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis through peaceful means.

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.

Madagascar's military is standing with the people against a brutal regime that has killed at least 22 protesters. Soldiers are refusing orders to shoot their own citizens and joining demonstrations after witnessing police violence including severe beatings caught on video. The president's appointment of military officers to government reveals desperation, as his authoritarian crackdown fails.

Madagascar's military is standing with the people against a brutal regime that has killed at least 22 protesters. Soldiers are refusing orders to shoot their own citizens and joining demonstrations after witnessing police violence including severe beatings caught on video. The president's appointment of military officers to government reveals desperation, as his authoritarian crackdown fails.

20251011 Madagascar Soldiers Join Protestors

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 Warns of Coup Attempt as Soldiers Join Protests

Luis Tato/Getty Images

Madagascar: President Warns of Coup Attempt as Soldiers Join Protests

Madagascar

Africa

Politics

Military

An illegal coup attempt is underway forcing Rajoelina to flee the country, 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 forcing Rajoelina to flee the country, 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.

Rajoelina's fleeing the country is cause for hope for a nation on the brink of collapse. With protests mounting and soldiers refusing to act, his resignation could prevent bloodshed and give Madagascar a chance for a fresh start. Rather than clinging to power, his resignation opens the door for a transitional government, renewed national dialogue, and the prospect of stability that has long been elusive.

Rajoelina's fleeing the country is cause for hope for a nation on the brink of collapse. With protests mounting and soldiers refusing to act, his resignation could prevent bloodshed and give Madagascar a chance for a fresh start. Rather than clinging to power, his resignation opens the door for a transitional government, renewed national dialogue, and the prospect of stability that has long been elusive.

Madagascar: President Flees Country as Military Turns Against Him

Madagascar: President WarnsFlees ofCountry Coupas AttemptMilitary asTurns SoldiersAgainst Join ProtestsHim

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