After Nepal, Bangladesh, now Madagascar: President Rajoelina flees as Gen Z-led protest topples government
Antananarivo, October 14, 2025: Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country following weeks of mass protests, becoming the latest leader removed amid a global wave of unrest driven by Gen Z activism. His exit, reportedly via a French military aircraft, marks the third government collapse in recent months, following similar movements in Nepal and Bangladesh, reports 24brussels.
Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko confirmed that Rajoelina departed Madagascar on Sunday after segments of the military joined the protesters. “We called the staff of the presidency and they confirmed that he left the country,” he stated, though Rajoelina’s current whereabouts remain unclear. In a subsequent Facebook address, he claimed he had reached a “safe location” for his protection, maintaining, “I will not allow Madagascar to be destroyed.” Despite the upheaval, Rajoelina has so far refused to resign.
Military officials indicated that the president’s evacuation involved a French Army CASA aircraft, with reports confirming a deal was struck with French President Emmanuel Macron. Speaking at a summit in Egypt, Macron did not confirm France’s role but stressed the importance of preserving constitutional order in Madagascar, while recognizing the legitimate grievances of youth protesting against corruption and poor governance.
The protests that culminated in Rajoelina’s flight began on September 25, triggered by widespread water and power shortages. However, they quickly escalated into a broader outcry against governmental incompetence and lack of essential services. Over the weekend, Rajoelina’s grip on power weakened as CAPSAT, an elite military unit instrumental in his rise to power during a 2009 coup, publicly sided with the demonstrators. The unit declared it would no longer confront protesters and switched allegiances, facilitating mass marches in Antananarivo.
As tensions rose, a faction of the paramilitary gendarmerie also defected, claiming its own leadership, which symbolized a significant shift in control. Meanwhile, Jean Andre Ndremanjary, the president of the Senate, was removed from office, with an interim leader appointed in accordance with Madagascar’s constitution, which stipulates that the Senate’s head assumes presidential responsibilities in the event of a vacancy.
Thousands reassembled in Antananarivo’s central square, demanding Rajoelina’s resignation. Protester Adrianarivony Fanomegantsoa, a 22-year-old hotel worker, expressed frustration over the deepening poverty, accusing Rajoelina’s administration of enriching itself at the expense of the populace. The United Nations has reported that at least 22 individuals have died in clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the protests began.
Madagascar, with a population of approximately 30 million and a median age under 20, faces some of the highest poverty rates globally. According to the World Bank, the country’s GDP per capita has fallen by 45 percent from independence in 1960 to 2020. In a final act before fleeing, Rajoelina issued pardons for two French nationals convicted over a failed coup attempt in 2021, signaling a desperate attempt to stabilize a precarious situation.
