Madagascan President Rajoelina Flees Amid Escalating Protests

Antananarivo: Madagascar's President, Andry Rajoelina, has fled the country after weeks of protests, French media reported on Monday. Rajoelina was flown out of the Indian Ocean island by a French military aircraft on Sunday, under an agreement with President Emmanuel Macron, the French radio station RFI said.According to Ghana News Agency, the presidential office in Antananarivo stated that Rajoelina, who became a French citizen in 2014, is to give a speech to the nation on Monday at 7 pm (1600 GMT). Demonstrators once again took to the streets in the capital on Monday.The island nation has been rocked by protests involving tens of thousands of young people. They were triggered by power and water cuts, frustration at the education system, high unemployment and widespread poverty. Peaceful demonstrations turned violent, leaving at least 22 people killed.On Sunday, Rajoelina's office denounced an attempted coup against him. An insurgent army unit declared that it had taken control of the country's land, air and naval forces. Numerous soldiers joined the protests. Amid rumours that the president had left the country, his office on Sunday claimed that Rajoelina was staying in the bunker of the presidential palace.