Madagascar President Fled Country Amid Military Rebellion, Claims Safety

Madagascar President Fled Country Amid Military Rebellion, Says He's Safe ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - In a late-night speech broadcast on social media, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said he fled the country in fear for his life after a military rebellion, but stopped short of announcing his resignation. Rajoelina, 51, has faced weeks of protests led by Gen Z activists demanding his ouster. The situation escalated on Saturday when an elite military unit joined the protesters and called for Rajoelina and other ministers to step down. In response, Rajoelina declared that an "illegal attempt to seize power" was underway in the Indian Ocean island nation. "I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life," Rajoelina said in his speech, which was also meant to be broadcast on Madagascar television but was delayed due to soldiers' attempts to take control of state broadcaster buildings. The speech was ultimately shown on the president's official Facebook page. Rajoelina's decision to leave the country has sparked debate among Malagasy citizens and international observers. Some see it as a necessary measure to protect his life, while others view it as an attempt to cling to power. "This is a classic case of a leader trying to escape accountability," said Dr. Mamy Rakotomalala, a Madagascar-based analyst. "The president's decision to leave the country will only fuel further unrest and undermine trust in the government." Rajoelina's office has maintained that he remains committed to serving the nation, despite his temporary departure. "The president is currently safe and secure," said a spokesperson for Rajoelina's office. "He will return to Madagascar when it is safe to do so and continue working towards resolving the current crisis." The military rebellion has raised concerns about the stability of the government and the country's future. The situation remains fluid, with protesters continuing to demand Rajoelina's resignation. As the situation unfolds, international organizations are monitoring the developments closely. The African Union and other regional bodies have called for calm and restraint from all parties involved. Rajoelina's departure has left a power vacuum in Madagascar, which is struggling to contain the economic and social fallout of the crisis. The country's economy has been severely impacted by the protests, with many businesses forced to close due to the unrest. The situation in Madagascar remains uncertain, with many questions still unanswered. Will Rajoelina return to power? Can the government regain control over the military? Only time will tell. Background: Madagascar has been plagued by weeks of protests led by Gen Z activists demanding Rajoelina's resignation. The protesters have accused him of corruption and mismanagement of the country's resources. Rajoelina has maintained that he is committed to serving the nation, but his popularity has waned in recent months. Additional Perspectives: Some analysts see Rajoelina's decision to leave the country as a calculated move to protect himself from prosecution for alleged human rights abuses. Others believe it is an attempt to cling to power and avoid accountability. Current Status: The situation remains fluid, with protesters continuing to demand Rajoelina's resignation. The military rebellion has raised concerns about the stability of the government and the country's future. International organizations are monitoring the developments closely. Next Developments: As the situation unfolds, it is likely that international pressure will continue to mount on Rajoelina to step down. The African Union and other regional bodies have called for calm and restraint from all parties involved. *Reporting by Theguardian.*