Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina delivered a delayed speech on Monday evening, confirming he is currently abroad on a security mission following a day of intense political turmoil marked by an attempted takeover of public media by a group of soldiers and significant popular mobilization in Antananarivo.
Rajoelina’s address, which was delayed by over two hours, came after the Presidency denounced a “serious act undermining the constitutional order.” The President rejected any notion of resignation, maintaining that he remains in charge, but admitted to being abroad to ensure his safety in the face of what he described as a “plot prepared for several weeks to attempt his life.”
According to a report by RFI, the Malagasy leader was allegedly exfiltrated by France as part of an agreement with President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly transiting through Reunion Island. The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Demosthene Pikulas, was immediately dispatched to the public media site to coordinate loyalist forces and “restore the situation.”
The Head of State firmly rejected rumors of an escape, stating he would “never abandon Madagascar.” He cautioned political actors against seeking any solution to the crisis outside the constitutional framework, warning that such an approach risked compromising ongoing development projects and international funding. Rajoelina reaffirmed his openness to dialogue and called on political actors and civil society to “preserve national unity and peace.”
Rajoelina’s intervention followed an unprecedented popular mobilization in Antananarivo’s 13 May Square, where thousands of citizens, joined by members of the armed forces, demanded his departure and institutional reforms. The rally was led by citizen movements, notably Gen Z Madagascar, and was attended by opposition figures, including former President Marc Ravalomanana.
Despite the President’s claims of a coup plot, Colonel Mikael Randrianirina, who led the action at the public media site, denied any attempted coup, stating to the press that he was merely an “executive officer” and that “the army had simply responded to the call of the Malagasy people.”
AC/fss/abj/APA