President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar has fled the country after the military joined protesters calling for his resignation over alleged corruption and worsening living conditions.
In an address released online on Monday, the 51-year-old leader said he was sheltering in an undisclosed location, claiming his life was under threat as unrest swept across the country.
Mr Rajoelina vowed to remain in office, insisting he would not yield to pressure but would instead stay on to “save” the struggling southern African island nation.
His defiant message came as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Antananarivo, expecting that he would step down following days of speculation about his political future.
READ MORE: Madagascar Soldiers Join Protesters, Refuse Orders to Shoot Demonstrators
The announcement dashed hopes for a peaceful resolution and deepened uncertainty in the mineral-rich country of 32 million people already gripped by instability.
The protests began in late September over worsening power and water shortages, but quickly evolved into a nationwide call for the president’s resignation.
On Saturday, scenes of jubilation erupted in the capital when groups of soldiers joined protesters, refusing to obey orders to open fire on civilians.
Witnesses said security forces initially used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse crowds before soldiers arrived, waving national flags and chanting with the demonstrators.
Earlier that day, troops at a barracks in Soanierana, outside Antananarivo, declared they would not shoot at fellow citizens, urging others in the security forces to do the same.
“Let us join forces and refuse to be paid to shoot our friends, our brothers, and our sisters,” the soldiers said in a video that circulated widely on social media.
The military’s rebellion marks one of the most serious challenges to Mr Rajoelina’s leadership since he first took power in 2009 following a similar mutiny.
Armed Forces Minister General Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo appealed for calm, urging troops to “prioritise dialogue” and reminding them that “the Malagasy army remains a mediator and the nation’s last line of defence.”
READ MORE: Security Forces Fire Rubber Bullets at Madagascar Protesters After They Reject President’s Promises
The demonstrations have left dozens dead and hundreds injured, with the United Nations condemning the government’s heavy-handed response and calling for restraint.
UN officials said at least 22 people were killed during the first week of unrest, although the government disputes this figure, claiming only 12 confirmed deaths, all described as “looters and vandals”.
In an earlier attempt to regain control, President Rajoelina dissolved his cabinet and appointed a military prime minister on 6 October, stacking key positions with members of the armed forces.
He declared at the time that Madagascar “no longer needs disturbances”, a statement that angered many citizens who accused him of tightening his grip on power.
Among the world’s poorest countries, Madagascar has faced repeated bouts of political instability since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Mr Rajoelina was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2023, though opposition parties boycotted the polls, accusing him of rigging the process.
As tension mounts, the president’s retreat into hiding leaves Madagascar on the edge of a full-blown political crisis, with fears that the situation could spiral into another military takeover.
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