Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has called for open talks to end the country’s growing crisis, saying the constitution must be respected. It was his first public message since the elite CAPSAT military unit turned against his government and joined thousands of protesters in Antananarivo over the weekend.
Speaking in a televised address late Monday from an undisclosed location, Rajoelina said he was forced to move to a safe place after threats to his life. Some reports allege that he fled to France on a French military plane, although this has not been officially confirmed. “I was forced to protect myself,” he said, describing the situation as an illegal attempt to take power by force.
His speech came after soldiers tried to take control of the state broadcaster, which delayed his address for several hours.
The protests, mostly led by young people, began on September 25 over ongoing water and electricity problems. They have since grown into wider demonstrations demanding Rajoelina and his government to step down.
Rajoelina urged all sides to remain calm and focus on peace. “Only dialogue can help us find a solution,” he said.
As the situation remains tense, citizens are calling for swift action to restore stability and ensure basic services continue to reach people across the island nation.
