Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country, saying he feared for his life after an elite military unit joined weeks of Gen Z-led protests calling for his resignation.
In a televised address yesterday from an undisclosed location, Rajoelina said he sought safety following what he described as an illegal attempt to seize power, after soldiers tried to take over state broadcaster buildings.
The president urged dialogue to resolve the crisis and called for respect for the constitution, but did not announce his resignation.
Reports suggest he was flown out of Madagascar on a French military plane.
The protests, which began over power and water shortages, have grown into the island’s largest anti-government movement since Rajoelina first rose to power through a military-backed coup in 2009.