ANTANANARIVO: Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina announced late Monday that he has fled the country due to fears for his life following a military rebellion but did not resign.

The address was broadcast on social media from an undisclosed location. Rajoelina has faced weeks of anti-government protests led by Gen Z, which escalated on Saturday when an elite military unit, CAPSAT, joined demonstrators demanding the resignation of the president and other ministers.Rajoelina described the situation as

an illegal attempt to seize power and departed Madagascar for safety. In his late-night address, Rajoelina called for dialogue and respect for the constitution.

The speech was intended to air on national TV but was delayed for hours after soldiers attempted to take over the state broadcaster. It was eventually streamed on the official Facebook page of the presidency.

The CAPSAT unit stated it now controls Madagascar’s armed forces and appointed a new officer in charge, a move accepted by the defense minister in Rajoelina’s absence. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a CAPSAT commander, said the army “responded to the people’s calls” but denied staging a coup.

He added that the people would decide Rajoelina’s future and whether new elections would be held. CAPSAT soldiers reportedly exchanged fire with security forces attempting to quell protests, resulting in one soldier’s death.

However, no major street fighting occurred, and soldiers were cheered by crowds in Antananarivo while riding armored vehicles and waving national flags.

The U.S. Embassy urged Americans to shelter in place due to a “highly volatile” situation. The African Union called for calm and restraint from all civilian and military actors.

The anti-government demonstrations began on Sept. 25 over chronic water and electricity outages but expanded to address poverty, cost of living, corruption, and embezzlement allegations.

Civic groups and trade unions joined, prompting curfews in Antananarivo and the northern port city of Antsiranana. The UN reports at least 22 people have died in the unrest.

Rajoelina, 51, first came to power in 2009 after a military-backed coup ousted President Marc Ravalomanana. He was elected president in 2018 and reelected in 2023 amid an opposition boycott.

Madagascar has a long history of political instability and coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.Rajoelina’s former prime minister and close advisers also fled to Mauritius early Sunday. The Mauritian government expressed dissatisfaction over the private plane landing on its territory.

Gen Z protesters, who helped ignite the uprising, were inspired by anti-government movements in Nepal and Sri Lanka and organized largely through online platforms.