President Andry Rajoelina confirms he fled Madagascar, citing threats to his life
According to AP News, the speech was originally planned for national television but had to be broadcast on Facebook after members of the rebelling military unit, CAPSAT, attempted to seize control of the country's TV stations.
Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina on Monday said he fled the country in fear for his life following a military uprising, though he did resign despite calls from the Malagasy people.
In an address from an unknown location, posted on the presidency's official Facebook page, Rajoelina stated that he left the country to protect himself as the military revolt unfolded.
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According to AP News, the speech was originally planned for national television but had to be broadcast on Facebook after members of the rebelling military unit, CAPSAT, attempted to seize control of the country's TV stations.
"I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life," Rajoelina said in his first public address since the military unit rebelled against his government and joined thousands of protesters in Antananarivo over the weekend.
Rajoelina also called for dialogue to resolve the crisis, stressing the importance of upholding the constitution. While he did not disclose his current whereabouts, additional reports on Monday indicated that he left the country on a French military aircraft, as he also holds French citizenship.
Rajoelina and his government have been under fire since September 25 after protests, which initially erupted in Antananarivo over chronic water and electricity outages, escalated into calls for his resignation over bad governance.
While Rajoelina has not explicitly named the military unit behind the attempt to topple his government, the situation escalated over the weekend as members of the CAPSAT unit joined the protests, demanding that the president and other government ministers resign.
On Sunday, the CAPSAT unit reportedly installed General Demosthene Pikulas as the new chief of the Army Staff, in a ceremony at the army headquarters attended by Armed Forces Minister Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo.
CAPSAT commander Col. Michael Randrianirina has denied that the military had carried out a coup, saying it was responding to the Malagasy people's demands and that the people should decide whether Rajoelina steps down and new elections are held.
Ironically, the CAPSAT unit played a huge role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power and ousted then-President Marc Ravalomanana.
According to the United Nations, the protests left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured, with authorities criticised for a "violent response" to largely peaceful demonstrations, though the government has disputed the reported death toll.
The African Union (AU) has since condemned any unconstitutional attempt to change the government in Madagascar, voicing serious concern over the growing protests and violence.
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