Andry Rajoelina, the president of Madagascar, has fled the country according to one of the country’s opposition leaders.
His exit was precipitated by massive protests carried out by the nation’s Gen Z population after which units of the army defected and joined the protesters on Sunday.
In a public address on Facebook on Monday, Rajoelina said that he had to relocate to protect himself. Although he did not divulge where he went, he said that he would not “allow Madagascar to be destroyed.”
One of the foreign diplomats close to the situation said that the president still refuses to step down.
According to Reuters, Rajoelina flew out of the country on a French military plane and French radio confirmed that he had made a deal with President Emmanuel Macron of France.
Macron, who was in Egypt at the time speaking at a summit, said he would not confirm reports that France helped Rajoelina flee, but said that constitutional order must be preserved in Madagascar. He also warned against the grievances of the younger population in the African nation being exploited by the military.
One of the miliary sources reported that an aircraft landed at the Sainte Marie airport on Sunday and that, “Five minutes later, a helicopter arrived and transferred its passenger into the Casa.” Casa refers to the type of aircraft.
The protests began on September 25 over water shortages and power outages, but soon grew into a greater upheaval over corruption, poverty, and bad governance.
By Tuesday, an army Colonel Michael Randrianirina said that the military had taken charge after Madagascar’s parliament voted to impeach President Rajoelina.
“We have taken the power,” Randrianirina said and added that the military planned to dissolve all the institutions except the lower house of parliament.
The military plans to run the country for up to two years with a transitional government before holding new elections.
“The renovation period will last a minimum of two years. During this time, a referendum will be held to establish a new constitution, followed by elections to gradually set up the new institutions,” he explained.
Before he fled, Rajoelina had planned to dissolve the lower house by decree, but other lawmakers moved to impeach him, which gave the miliary an entrance to take over.
Rajoelina has called the maneuver a coup and his office has released a statement saying that he is still in office and plans to maintain order and stability.
On Tuesday, 2424.mg, a news site in Madagascar, reported that the police had joined the military in supporting the protests.
