British News Agency

French state radio RFI reported on Monday that the president, who also holds French citizenship, flew out of the capital Antananarivo following an agreement reached with President Emmanuel Macron. It was also noted that he may have traveled to Dubai.

According to a statement from the presidency on Facebook, the president was expected to address the nation at 7:00 p.m. local time.

The 51-year-old Rajoelina, who served as the country’s first president from 2009 to 2014, returned to power in 2023. He became increasingly isolated after losing the support of a key military unit — the elite Capsat corps — whose soldiers joined thousands of young activists protesting against corruption and poverty. The movement had previously rejected his call for dialogue and demanded his resignation.

Among the protesters filling the streets were soldiers from the elite Capsat unit, which played a major role in the 2009 coup.

On Saturday, some Capsat soldiers released a video on social media saying: “Soldiers, gendarmes, and police, let us unite our forces and refuse to take money to shoot at our friends and brothers.”

They added: “Close the doors and await our instructions. Do not obey your commanders’ orders. Aim your weapons at those who order you to fire on your comrades, because if we die, they will not care for our families.”