Madagascar President Flees Country Amid Escalating Anti-Government Protests

According⁢ to the⁣ English section ‍of ‌ webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News⁤ Agency and Reuters, Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar’s ‍president, escaped to an unknown⁣ location amid escalating anti-government ‌protests, according to opposition leader Sitney radrianasoloniako, a military⁢ source, and a ​foreign diplomat.

Radrianasoloniako told Reuters in the malagasy parliament that​ Rajoelina⁢ fled after‌ army units joined⁤ the protesters’ ranks.

The demonstrations began on September 25 over frequent water and power ⁣outages. They quickly expanded into widespread protests focused on ​economic issues-rising ‌living costs, poverty, and government corruption-with demonstrators demanding Rajoelina’s resignation.

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously expressed concern ⁤about this former Parisian ‌colony. ⁤The United‌ Nations reported that clashes ⁣between protesters‍ and‌ security forces have so far killed at least 22 people in Madagascar.