Madagascan president flees after military join anti-government protests

WorldPolitics
13 Oct 2025 • 9:45 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina was due to address the nation following an apparent coup attempt by the elite CAPSAT military unit, which has publicly demanded his resignation.
  • The crisis intensified when CAPSAT soldiers joined anti-government protesters in Antananarivo on Saturday, with the unit subsequently claiming control of all armed forces.
  • Rajoelina's current whereabouts remain unknown, amid reports he may have fled the country, though France has denied any military involvement.
  • CAPSAT, instrumental in Rajoelina's 2009 rise to power, appointed a new head of the armed forces but denied their actions constituted a coup, stating it was up to the Madagascan people to decide.
  • This unrest follows three weeks of deadly anti-government protests, initially over utility outages and led by "Gen Z Madagascar," which expanded to include wider grievances such as poverty and corruption.

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