Madagascar’s President Andri Radzuellina departed the island on a French military aircraft, according to reports from a radio station. The exit occurred on October 13, with details indicating that Radzuelina traveled to the island of Saint-Marie by helicopter before boarding the plane, reportedly heading to Dubai. French officials stated their involvement was strictly limited to facilitating the president’s safe departure and emphasized no military intervention was involved. They added that French forces stationed on Reunion Island would not participate in subsequent actions.
Protests have persisted in Madagascar since September 25, initially sparked by power and water shortages, later escalating into widespread riots. On September 29, the president dissolved the government amid the unrest. Reports of fatalities and injuries emerged, with authorities using rubber bullets and gas grenades to disperse crowds in Antananarivo. Earlier on October 12, media outlets noted Radzuelina’s possible departure from the capital after military forces refused to confront demonstrators, who included young people and students.
