According to the Reuters report on Sunday October 12, 2025, unconfirmed reports have circulated claiming that a private jet originating from Madagascar was en route to Mauritius after being denied landing rights in Réunion, with social media speculation suggesting it carried President Andry Rajoelina fleeing escalating anti-government unrest. The aircraft’s diversion, first noted on October 11, 2025, coincides with intensified protests in Antananarivo, where demonstrators demand Rajoelina’s resignation over governance failures, including chronic water and electricity shortages. These rumors, amplified by outlets like African Hub on X, have not been substantiated by official sources.
The backdrop to the alleged exodus is a wave of youth-led demonstrations that erupted on September 25, 2025, drawing inspiration from global Gen Z movements. Protesters, numbering in the thousands, have clashed with security forces, resulting in at least 22 deaths according to United Nations estimates—though the government reports 12. Rajoelina, who holds dual Malagasy-French citizenship, faces accusations of authoritarianism following his disputed 2023 reelection, with calls for him to dissolve the Senate and electoral commission.
In a swift rebuttal, the Malagasy presidency issued a statement on October 11 denying any departure, affirming that “the President of the Republic is in the country and is overseeing the management of national affairs together with the Prime Minister.” This comes as Prime Minister Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo, a recently appointed army general, appealed for dialogue on state television, inviting youth, unions, and even dissenting military elements to negotiate. The government’s reshuffle, including a new defense minister, aims to defuse tensions but has inspired little confidence among critics.
The jet incident, whether coincidental or contrived, exemplifies the fog of misinformation enveloping Madagascar’s crisis, exacerbating fears of instability in the Indian Ocean island. International observers, including the UN, urge restraint to prevent further violence, while the outcome could reshape regional dynamics if Rajoelina’s grip weakens. See, More, Here>>>>
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