The new government stripped the former prime minister of his citizenship
- The new government of Madagascar revoked the citizenship of former President Rajoelina.
- Rajoelina lost his citizenship to acquire French citizenship in 2014.
- Youth protests contributed to the military overthrow of President Rajoelina.
- Rajoelina’s overthrow was accompanied by tense demonstrations in Madagascar.
- The new president, Randrianirina, promised elections in two years.
Madagascar’s new government stripped former president Andry Rajoelina of his Malagasy citizenship. She did so with a decree issued on Friday, 10 days after the president was overthrown in a military coup, TASR reports based on an AFP report.
The decree means Rajoelina, who was removed from office on October 14 after fleeing the island nation amid weeks of protests, will not be able to run in future elections.
French citizenship caused a scandal
A decree published in the official gazette said Rajoelina’s Madagascar citizenship was revoked because he had acquired French citizenship in 2014, local media reported, with photos of the document appearing online.
Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that the issuance of the decree was confirmed by sources close to the new Prime Minister Herintsalam Rajaonarivelo, who signed the order.
Protests on the island
The decree cites laws that state that a Malagasy citizen who voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship loses Malagasy citizenship.
Rajoelina’s French nationality caused a scandal when it was revealed ahead of the November 2023 elections, almost 10 years after it was granted. The scandal triggered calls for his disqualification, but he eventually won a disputed election that was boycotted by opposition parties.
Youth demonstrations
The 51-year-old politician fled Madagascar after army colonel Michael Randrianirina announced on October 11 that his CAPSAT unit would refuse orders to quell a youth-led protest movement that security forces tried to quell with violence. Rajoelina later said he was hiding for his own safety, but did not say where.
Randrianirina was sworn in as president on October 14, promising that elections would be held within two years.
Tense situation in Madagascar
Since the end of September, the island country has been experiencing demonstrations by mostly young people, who, according to the media, were inspired by recent protests in Kenya and Nepal. They demanded the resignation of the government and the holding of new elections, as well as the restoration of water and electricity supplies. Dissatisfaction with the education system, high unemployment and poverty contributed to the tense situation.
