Madagascar Revokes Ex-President Rajoelina Citizenship
(MENAFN) Madagascar’s new military government has officially revoked the citizenship of former President Andry Rajoelina, barring him from running in future elections.
The announcement came Friday from Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, who cited a 1960 law enacted when Madagascar gained independence from France. The legislation permits the government to strip citizens of Malagasy nationality if they hold citizenship elsewhere.
Rajoelina’s dual nationality has long been a source of controversy, igniting political and legal disputes even before his removal from office just over a week ago. During the 2023 presidential elections, opponents sought to disqualify him after it was revealed he acquired French citizenship in 2014.
The former DJ pushed back against these challenges, stating that “the constitution does not require the head of state to hold only Malagasy nationality” and explaining he became French “so his children could study in France.” Appeals to invalidate his candidacy were dismissed by Madagascar’s constitutional court, angering the opposition and sparking weeks of violent protests ahead of the election, which Rajoelina ultimately won.
Earlier this month, Rajoelina fled the country, citing safety concerns after youth-led demonstrations over chronic water shortages and power outages escalated into deadly unrest. According to the UN, law enforcement actions during the protests left at least 22 dead and more than 100 injured.
Protesters had demanded Rajoelina’s resignation, but he responded by firing his energy minister and dissolving his entire cabinet in a bid to quell the unrest. Parliament later impeached him, and Col. Michael Randrianirina assumed leadership of the transitional regime on October 17.
Political instability is nothing new for Madagascar. Rajoelina first rose to power through a coup in 2009 and was later elected president in 2018. He has condemned his removal as unconstitutional and sought relief from the High Constitutional Court, which deemed his request “inadmissible.”
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