Ousted Madagascar leader stripped of citizenship
Madagascar’s newly installed military government says it has revoked the citizenship of former President Andry Rajoelina, effectively barring the ousted leader from contesting future elections.
The Indian Ocean nation’s new prime minister, Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, announced the decision in a decree issued on Friday. He cited a law dating back to 1960, when the country gained independence from France, which strips Malagasy citizens of their nationality if they have citizenship of another country.
Rajoelina has long faced criticism over his dual nationality, which fueled political and legal disputes well before his overthrow just over a week ago. During the 2023 elections, opponents sought to disqualify him after it emerged he had acquired French citizenship in 2014.
The former DJ rejected the challenge, arguing the constitution does not require the head of state to hold only Malagasy nationality and saying he became French so his children could study in France. Madagascar’s constitutional court also dismissed appeals to void his candidacy, a decision that angered the opposition and set off weeks of violent protests ahead of the presidential vote, which Rajoelina won.
Rajoelina fled the country earlier this month, citing threats to his safety after days of unrest sparked by youth-led protests over chronic water shortages and power outages. At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a crackdown on demonstrators by law enforcement, according to the UN.
Protesters had demanded his resignation, but Rajoelina instead fired his energy minister and dissolved his entire cabinet in a bid to calm public anger. Lawmakers impeached him before the military took power, and Col. Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as leader of the transitional regime on October 17.
Madagascar has long been politically volatile. Rajoelina himself first came to power in a 2009 coup, then won the presidency in 2018. He has denounced his removal as unconstitutional and petitioned the High Constitutional Court for a way out of the crisis, but the court ruled his request “inadmissible.”
