Madagascar's military takes power, colonel says, after parliament votes to impeach Rajoelina

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Madagascar’s president Andry Rajoelina said on Monday (October 13) that he had moved to a safe location to protect his life, following weeks of youth-led protests demanding his resignation.

In an address to the nation broadcast on Facebook late on Monday, Rajoelina said he had relocated for security reasons after receiving warnings of an imminent attack. He did not disclose his whereabouts but appeared defiant, saying he would not allow Madagascar to be destroyed.

A military source and other officials told Reuters the president left the country on a French army aircraft on Sunday (October 12), after Malagasy troops declared support for the protesters. (3378-MADAGASCAR-PROTESTS/RAJOELINA)

UNKNOWN LOCATION (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Malagasy) MADAGASCAR PRESIDENT, ANDRY RAJOELINA SAYING:

"We have all seen that the crises that have occurred in the country have led to ruin and recession."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Malagasy) MADAGASCAR PRESIDENT, ANDRY RAJOELINA SAYING:

"There have been real plans since 25 September for a coup, an assassination attempt against me."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Malagasy) MADAGASCAR PRESIDENT, ANDRY RAJOELINA SAYING:

"When other African presidents proposed sending military contingents on a peacekeeping mission, I told them that this did not reflect the values of the Malagasy people, and I refused."

Young residents of Madagascar's capital on Tuesday (October 14) dismissed Rajoelina's speech as "propaganda" and said that he should resign immediately. (3491-MADAGASCAR-PROTESTS/MORNING)

ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR (OCTOBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

6. PEOPLE AND VEHICLES CROSSING STREET

7. POLICE SITTING ON PICKUP TRUCK

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) ANTANANARIVO RESIDENT, JONATHAN NOSOAVINJANAHARY, SAYING:

"We are not satisfied because these are not the things we expected to hear in this speech. We want him to resign immediately. We don't want to wait any longer. We don't want propaganda and all that, we want him to resign."

Youth-led demonstrators assembled outside Antananarivo’s city hall on Tuesday. Police officers were seen observing the peaceful gathering but did not intervene. The protest follows weeks of unrest sparked by water and power shortages, which have since grown into broader demands for reform and accountability. (3511-MADAGASCAR-PROTESTS/)

ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR (OCTOBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS STANDING OUTSIDE CITY HALL / PROTESTERS WAVING MADAGASCAN FLAG

10. PROTESTERS HOLDING UP BLACK BANNER READING (English) : "GEN-Z"

11. POLICE OFFICERS LOOKING ON / PROTESTER STANDING IN FRONT OF POLICE OFFICERS

12. PROTESTERS STANDING OUTSIDE CITY HALL

Members of Madagascar's national assembly on Tuesday voted to impeach Rajoelina. (3562-MADAGASCAR-PROTESTS/PARLIAMENT)

ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR (OCTOBER 14, 2025) (REAL TV - No use Madagascar)

13. VARIOUS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS DROPPING BALLOTS IN BOXES

14. (SOUNDBITE) (French) DEPUTY SPEAKER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, HARISON RAOLIJAONA, SAYING:

"In application of Article 40.1 of the Constitution, the National Assembly, meeting in extraordinary session, shall pronounce the permanent dismissal of the President of the Republic due to his manifest incompatibilities and conflicts of interest—activities of a nature to harm the dignity of the nation and national unity."

Military police officers appeared on stage outside Antananarivo’s city hall on Tuesday, as youth-led protests against President Andry Rajoelina continued to swell. One officer stood guard inside a military vehicle, rifle in hand, while others drove through crowds of demonstrators gathered in the square.

Madagascar's military has taken charge of the Indian Ocean island, Colonel Michael Randrianirina said on Tuesday, adding that the military was dissolving all institutions except the lower house of parliament or National Assembly, which voted to impeach Rajoelina minutes earlier.

(3576-MADAGASCAR-PROTESTS/MILITARY)

ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR (OCTOBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

15. VARIOUS OF MILITARY POLICE OFFICERS ON STAGE OUTSIDE CITY HALL

16. MILITARY OFFICER HOLDING RIFLE WHILE STANDING INSIDE MILITARY VEHICLE

17. PROTESTERS OUTSIDE CITY HALL