Madagascar President Flees Amid Gen Z Protests Over Corruption and Poverty

President's Departure and Opposition Claims

• ✈️ Madagascar's president has fled the country, according to opposition leader Sitin Randri Ana Solaniak and other officials.
• 🇫🇷 A military source indicated that President Andre Rajalina flew out on a French military aircraft on Sunday.
• 🤝 Reports suggest a deal was struck with President Emmanuel Macron, though the president's office has not commented.

Military Defection and Protester Demands

• 🛡️ Opposition leader Solaniak stated that the president's departure followed army units defecting and joining protesters.
• 🚫 The elite CAPSAT unit, which previously helped Rajelina seize power, announced they refused to shoot on protesters.
• 🚶 CAPSAT instead escorted thousands of protesters to the main square in the capital, Antanana Rivo, where demonstrators demanded accountability from the president.

Escalation of Protests and Grievances

• ⚡ Protests initially erupted at the end of September due to water and power shortages.
• 📈 These quickly escalated into an uprising addressing broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance, and a lack of basic services.
• ⚠️ The UN reports that at least 22 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces since September 25th.

CAPSAT's Role and Presidential Warning

• 🚨 CAPSAT announced over the weekend that it was taking charge of the military and appointed a new army chief.
• ⚠️ This move prompted President Rajalina to warn of an attempt to seize power in the island nation.