Radzuelina, who found himself in a difficult situation, reported that he had found a "safe place" after several weeks of protests demanding his resignation and threats to his life. In a live broadcast on Facebook, he stated that "a group of military personnel and politicians planned to kill me."
Although he did not disclose his location, according to unconfirmed reports, he left the country on a French military plane. This occurred after two weeks of protests, primarily led by youth demanding his resignation. Radzuelina's attempts to calm the protesters, dubbed "Mada's Generation Z," were unsuccessful. The president dismissed his government and offered other concessions, but this did not yield results.
Radzuelina had not been seen since Wednesday, and over the weekend, his office reported attempts to remove him from power. His address to the nation was postponed several times due to the unstable situation, as soldiers threatened to seize the headquarters of the state television.
Ultimately, in his Facebook post, he stated: "Since September 25, there have been attempts on my life, and there have been attempts at a coup. A group of military personnel and politicians intended to eliminate me. I had to find a safe place for protection." He added: "The only way to resolve these issues is to respect the current constitution."
Over the weekend, the CAPSAT unit, which previously supported Radzuelina in 2009, attempted to undermine his authority by declaring itself the commander of all armed forces. Some officers joined the protesters on the streets of Antananarivo. The new chief of staff of the army, General Demosfen Pikulas, appointed by CAPSAT, assured citizens that security forces were working together to maintain order.
According to the president's administration, by Monday evening, the general was at the headquarters of the state television, trying to resolve the emerging crisis. A senior leader of Madagascar's largest opposition party, TIM, anonymously told the BBC that actual power in the country now belongs to the military unit.
The TIM party also confirmed its intention to initiate impeachment proceedings against Radzuelina for "abandonment of office." Some of his closest associates left the country, heading to Mauritius, including former Prime Minister Richard Ravalomanana and businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga.
Despite its natural wealth, Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the World Bank, about 75% of the population lives below the poverty line, and only a third of the population has access to electricity, according to the International Monetary Fund.
The protests began due to dissatisfaction with constant water and electricity outages, and then escalated into more serious issues reflecting general discontent with Radzuelina's government, caused by high unemployment, corruption, and a cost of living crisis. According to the UN, at least 22 people died and more than 100 were injured in the first days of protests, although the government denied these figures.
Eyewitnesses report that security forces opened fire on protesters with live ammunition, resulting in a newborn baby dying from smoke inhalation caused by tear gas. Since gaining independence in 1960, Madagascar has faced numerous uprisings, including the mass protests of 2009 that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to resign and led to Radzuelina's rise to power.
At that time, he was only 34 years old, becoming the youngest leader in Africa, remaining in power for four years, and then returning to power after the 2018 elections. Radzuelina, born into a wealthy family, established himself as a successful businessman and DJ before entering politics, founding a radio station and an advertising company.
However, his image, when a strict suit and youthful face no longer inspired confidence, collapsed amid accusations of nepotism and corruption.
