Embattled Madagascar president delays national address, again

Deutsche Tageszeitung - Embattled Madagascar president delays national address, again

Embattled Madagascar president delays national address, again / Photo: © AFP/File

Madagascar's besieged President Andry Rajoelina on Monday twice pushed back his long-awaited national address, deepening uncertainty over his whereabouts after days of protests calling for his resignation.

Change text size:

Rajoelina has faced the most serious test to his presidency since taking office, with weeks of deadly street protests and a mutinous army unit openly defying his authority.

The 51-year-old leader has not appeared in public since last Wednesday and is believed to have fled the country aboard a French military plane, according to Radio France Internationale. French authorities did not respond immediately to AFP's request for confirmation.

Rajoelina was due speak to the nation at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT), but it was delayed by an hour and half after "a group of armed forces threatened to take control of the state-owned media," the presidency said on Facebook.

The presidency did not name who had attempted to block the broadcast.

Newly appointed Chief of the Army Staff, General Demosthene Pikulas, "went to the site to mediate, organise and take action against the situation," it said.

After the initial delay elapsed, the presidency announced a second postponement to 9:30 pm (1830 GMT), citing "ongoing negotiations" without providing further details.

The protests, led by mostly young demonstrators, initially focused on chronic power and water cuts in the impoverished country but developed into a broader anti-government movement that called for Rajoelina to resign.

The United Nations has said that at least 22 people were killed in the first days, some by security forces and others in violence sparked by criminal gangs and looters in the wake of the demonstrations.

Rajoelina has disputed the toll, saying last week there were "12 confirmed deaths and all of these individuals were looters and vandals".

(M.Dorokhin--DTZ)

Trump Reduces Public Appearances Amid CIA-Mossad Warnings of Iranian Drone Plot

President Donald Trump has significantly reduced his public appearances following warnings from Israeli intelligence that Iran plotted to assassinate him using explosive drones. The security concerns have prompted the relocation of several senior cabinet officials from Washington, D.C., while diplomatic tensions with Tehran remain high despite ongoing economic pressure campaigns.

Singer Sierra Ferrell Condemns ICE for Using Song in Racist Promo Video

Singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell has publicly condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after the agency used her song 'American Dreaming' in a promotional video depicting nostalgic 1950s America. Ferrell described the clip as racist and is considering legal action against the government for infringing on her rights.

Guterres Warns Against Building Peace on a 'Burning Planet' in Cop31 Farewell

António Guterres has issued a stark warning against building peace on a "burning planet" during his final address at the Cop31 climate summit. As world leaders depart and negotiations persist, the outgoing UN chief emphasized that climate action is central to every aspect of global governance and human survival.

Iran Warns South Korea Against Naval Expansion Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran has formally warned South Korea against deploying naval forces near the Strait of Hormuz, characterizing Seoul’s plan to extend the mission of its antipiracy unit as a hostile act tied to the conflict between the United States and Iran. The diplomatic dispute arises as South Korea seeks legislative approval to broaden the operational scope of the Cheonghae Unit.