Former Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina has been stripped of his Malagasy citizenship following his ouster in a military coup last week. The 51-year-old leader, who fled Madagascar after weeks of unrest, now faces further political humiliation as the new regime moves swiftly to erase his national identity.
The decree, signed by newly appointed Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, invoked local laws that revoke Malagasy citizenship from individuals who acquire foreign nationality. Rajoelina reportedly obtained French citizenship a decade ago, a move that had previously sparked controversy and calls for his disqualification during the 2023 presidential election. Despite the uproar, he contested and won the vote.
Rajoelina’s downfall came amid growing public anger over chronic power and water shortages, economic hardship, and government corruption. Weeks of demonstrations—spearheaded by Gen Z Mada, a youth-led movement inspired by similar protests in Nepal—culminated in a military takeover led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the head of Madagascar’s elite forces.
In an attempt to quell the unrest, Rajoelina dismissed his energy minister and later dissolved his government, but these actions only deepened the public’s frustration. Protesters demanded his resignation and a democratic transition, accusing him of clinging to power despite mounting national discontent.
Rajoelina, who is believed to be in hiding, has not revealed his current location but insists he fled “for his own safety.” His decision to secretly acquire French citizenship years earlier—reportedly to facilitate his children’s studies in France—has now come back to haunt him.
The new leadership in Antananarivo has yet to announce a clear transition plan, but the stripping of Rajoelina’s citizenship marks a decisive break from his administration and signals the beginning of a new, uncertain chapter for the island nation.
