Youth-led protests against corruption, unemployment and recurring power and water shortages have been going on in the country for several weeks and have demanded the president's resignation. Over the weekend, a military elite unit sided with the demonstrators. A general nominated by the same unit was then appointed as the new army chief.
Now, Radio France International reports that President Andry Rajoelina, whose dual French-Malagasy citizenship has long been a red flag for the opposition, has been flown out by the French military after approval from the former colonial power's president Emmanuel Macron.
Rajoelina himself claims to have been subjected to an assassination attempt and is hiding in a "safe place" – without revealing where.
Since September 25, there have been assassination attempts and coup attempts. A group of soldiers and politicians planned to kill me, he says in a live broadcast on Facebook on Monday evening.
The French embassy states that "no French military intervention is underway".
I will not confirm anything today, says President Macron about the reports of French involvement.
I just want to express our great concern.
