ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – In a move to consolidate its power, Madagascar's new military regime has formally stripped former President Andry Rajoelina of his Malagasy citizenship, just one week after ousting him in a coup d'état.
The order, signed by newly installed Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, cites a local law that mandates the loss of Malagasy nationality for those who acquire foreign citizenship. Rajoelina, 51, obtained French citizenship a decade ago, a fact that became a major point of contention during his presidency.
The former leader's foreign nationality first came to light months before the 2023 presidential election, prompting calls for his disqualification. Rajoelina defied those calls, arguing he had only secretly acquired French citizenship to ease administrative processes for his children studying in France. He went on to win the election, but the issue continued to fuel public distrust.
His presidency unraveled in recent weeks amid widespread public anger over persistent power and water shortages. Protests, initially organized by the youth movement Gen Z Mada and inspired by similar anti-government rallies in Nepal, swelled into a major crisis. The government's violent response to the demonstrations only exacerbated the situation.
In a futile attempt to quell the unrest, Rajoelina first sacked his energy minister and then his entire government. However, protesters' demands had crystallized into a single goal: his resignation to pave the way for a democratic transition.
Instead of stepping down, Rajoelina clung to power, a decision that ultimately triggered the military intervention. The elite military unit, led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, seized control, forcing Rajoelina to flee the African island nation.
The former president has stated he has gone into hiding for his own safety, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Colonel Randrianirina has since been sworn in as the country's new leader and has formed a government, pledging to hold elections within two years. The decision to strip Rajoelina of his citizenship is seen as a legal and political maneuver by the junta to legitimize its takeover and discredit the former president, painting him as ineligible to lead the country by his own admission of holding dual nationality.
The international community continues to watch the situation closely, with many nations and organizations condemning the coup and calling for a swift return to civilian rule.
