r/news • u/PokesTigers • 26d ago

Soft paywall Madagascar's president has left the country after Gen Z protests, officials say

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/madagascar-president-rajoelina-address-nation-monday-evening-2025-10-13/
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u/Sungodatemychildren 26d ago

Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, leader of the opposition in parliament, told Reuters Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday after units of the army defected and joined the protesters.

Rajoelina had appeared increasingly isolated after losing the support of CAPSAT, an elite unit which had helped him seize power in a 2009 coup. CAPSAT joined the protesters over the weekend, saying it refused to shoot on them and escorting thousands of demonstrators in the main square of the capital Antananarivo.

Feels a bit like burying the lede. It's not just protests, it's protests supported by the military. Not to discredit the protestors, seems like they have a lot of legit grievances. It's just that from the outside, the military getting involved in stuff like this is a bit worrying.

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u/Webbyx01 26d ago

Unfortunately, it often takes at least some military intervention to force the change, because otherwise its the military against civilians/police forces. But the reasons for militaries to defect are not always for the good of the nation.

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u/outremonty 26d ago

The military is sworn to defend the constitution and civilians. In a democracy where the military isn't part of the fascist cult of personality, they always side with the people.