Madagascar’s President Flees as Military Seizes Power Amid Gen-Gi Movement Uprising
Madagascar has witnessed a dramatic shift in power as the Gen-Gi movement overthrew the government, prompting President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country. The armed forces have taken control, marking another nation swept up in the wave of youth-led unrest seen across several continents.
President Rajoelina announced from an undisclosed location late Monday night that he fled due to threats to his life following the military coup. “My life was in danger,” he said in a televised address to the nation.
After weeks of widespread protests, the situation escalated on Tuesday when a colonel from Madagascar’s special military unit declared that the armed forces had assumed power. The military announced plans to establish a council comprising officers from the army and gendarmerie, with a prime minister to be appointed soon to form a civilian government.
This development places Madagascar among the latest countries to experience a Gen-Gi (Generation Z)–driven political upheaval, fueled by growing frustration with corruption, inequality, and poor governance.
Parliament Dissolved Amid Coup
Before fleeing, President Rajoelina dissolved the National Assembly, according to a statement posted on the presidential office’s Facebook page. The dissolution order was issued shortly before his departure amid the escalating military takeover.
Reports indicate that the president went into hiding after elite military units joined youth-led protests over the weekend, demanding his resignation. In his social media address, Rajoelina reiterated that he left the country solely for his personal safety.
Roots of the Unrest: Electricity and Water Crisis
The current wave of protests began on September 25, sparked by chronic electricity and water shortages. The movement—dubbed “Gen-Z Madagascar” by demonstrators—has since evolved into a broader campaign against systemic corruption, inequality, and poor living conditions.
The United Nations has reported at least 22 deaths since the unrest began. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy has urged citizens to remain indoors, and the African Union has appealed for restraint and dialogue from both the military and civilians.
Economic Struggles and Growing Discontent
Madagascar’s socio-economic challenges have amplified public anger. With an average age below 20 years and three-quarters of its 30 million citizens living below the poverty line, frustration among the youth has reached a tipping point. According to the World Bank, the country’s GDP per capita has fallen by 45% since independence in 1960.
As the Gen-Gi movement reshapes Madagascar’s political landscape, the world watches closely to see whether the military’s promised civilian transition will bring stability—or further turmoil—to the island nation.
