Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina flees as Gen Z protesters hit the street

Madagascar President, Andry Rajoelina, has reportedly fled the country amid intensifying protests from Gen Z calling for his resignation.

Rajoelina was scheduled to address the country at 17:30 GMT on Monday, but put it off over what the presidency cited as a threat from soldiers to seize state television.

According to reports, this is the second time the president postponed his speech, as he has not been seen in public since last Wednesday.

Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, leader of the opposition in parliament, told Reuters that Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday after units of the army defected and joined the protesters.

“We called the staff of the presidency, and they confirmed that he left the country,” Randrianasoloniaiko told Reuters.

According to Reuters, a military source disclosed that Rajoelina flew out of the country on a French military aircraft. RFI, French radio, said he had struck a deal with President Emmanuel Macron.

The crisis took a different dimension as former Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga, both close allies of Rajoelina, flew urgently to Mauritius, a move confirmed by the Mauritian government.

Before fleeing the country, the embattled president accused elements within the armed forces of plotting a coup as they joined the youth-led demonstrations. Hours later, CAPSAT, an elite army unit, announced it had taken control of the nation’s military command.

Over the weekend, soldiers were spotted among jubilant protesters in Antananarivo, a move that was interpreted as a division within the army.

The ongoing unrest, dubbed “Gen Z Madagascar,” started as protests over power and water shortages, before evolving into a nationwide movement against corruption and rising living costs.

According to the data released by the UN, no fewer than 22 people have died through, a figure the government disagreed with.

Madagascar’s situation presents a similar pattern to the Gen Z protest that occurred in Nepal in September 2025, as protesters set the parliament on fire after forcing the Prime Minister to resign.

As the president flees the country, Madagascar faces its most volatile political moment in years.

As the president flees the country, Madagascar faces its most volatile political moment in years.