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Madagascar's interim government has officially stripped former President Andry Rajoelina of his Malagasy citizenship, just 10 days after a dramatic military coup ousted him from power. The decree, published in the official gazette on Friday, cites Rajoelina's acquisition of French nationality in 2014 as grounds for the revocation, effectively barring him from ever running for office again in the Indian Ocean island nation. The decision, signed by newly appointed Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, invokes Malagasy laws that automatically nullify citizenship for those who voluntarily adopt a foreign one. French broadcaster RFI confirmed the authenticity of the document with sources close to the prime minister's office, while local media outlets swiftly shared photographs of the decree online, sparking widespread discussion across the archipelago. Rajoelina, aged 51, had been a polarizing figure in Malagasy politics. He first seized power in a 2009 coup and later won the presidency in the controversial 2023 elections, which opposition parties boycotted amid allegations of fraud. The revelation of his dual French-Malagasy citizenship ahead of those polls had ignited a firestorm, with critics demanding his disqualification. Despite the uproar, Rajoelina secured victory, but the issue simmered as a symbol of his perceived divided loyalties. Tensions boiled over in early October 2025, when weeks of youth-led protests against economic hardship, corruption, and government repression escalated into open confrontation. Security forces cracked down violently, but the tide turned on October 11 when army Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, publicly declared his troops would refuse orders to suppress the demonstrators. "We stand with the people," Randrianirina announced in a broadcast that galvanized the opposition.In the chaotic aftermath, Rajoelina fled the capital, Antananarivo, seeking refuge abroad. From an undisclosed location, he later issued a statement claiming he was "in hiding for my safety," vowing to return and fight for democracy. On October 14, Randrianirina was sworn in as interim president during a somber ceremony in the capital, flanked by military brass and civilian leaders. Addressing a crowd of supporters, he pledged to restore stability and hold free elections within two years. "Madagascar will rise from these ashes," he declared, emphasizing a commitment to transparency and national unity. The citizenship revocation is seen by many as a definitive severing of ties with Rajoelina's era, which was marked by ambitious infrastructure projects but also accusations of authoritarianism and economic mismanagement. The AU, which had previously criticized the 2023 elections, convened an emergency session last week to monitor the situation. France, Madagascar's former colonial power and Rajoelina's adopted homeland, has remained notably silent, though diplomatic sources hint at behind-the-scenes pressure to ensure the safety of Malagasy expatriates. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
