Africa25 October, 20252 min read
Madagascar Government Strips Ex-President Rajoelina of Citizenship After Coup
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Former President Andry Rajoelina was stripped of Malagasy citizenship after a military coup. Rajoelina lost citizenship due to acquiring French nationality in 2014, violating local law.
8 outlets told this the same way.
Madagascar Citizenship Revocation
Madagascar’s new government has revoked former President Andry Rajoelina’s Malagasy citizenship days after a military coup. The revocation was made via a decree signed by Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo and is based on nationality laws that strip citizenship from those who take a foreign nationality. Multiple outlets report that Rajoelina obtained French nationality in 2014, which under Malagasy law triggers loss of citizenship.
“Former Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina, who was ousted in a coup last week and has since been in hiding, has been stripped of his Malagasy citizenship by the new regime.”
Coverage also highlights uncertainty and risk around his whereabouts after the power shift. The Western outlet BBC reports he “has since been in hiding,” while African news source africanews says his “current location remains unknown.”
Citizenship and Political Eligibility
The legal basis and immediate consequence are framed consistently but with varying degrees of explicitness. Several outlets say Malagasy law strips citizenship upon voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality. Multiple reports state this effectively bars Rajoelina from future office.
African and Western sources alike reference the 2014 French naturalization as the trigger. BBC’s account emphasizes prior disqualification calls rather than explicitly stating the new ban.
Details of Military Coup
Accounts of how power shifted and what followed differ in specificity. African outlets report that an elite military unit staged the coup and that Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in on 17 October with a two‑year election pledge.
“An elite military unit staged a coup in Madagascar, prompting former leader Rajoelina to flee, citing threats to his life.”
Some reports also detail protests and the army’s refusal to suppress them. Leadership Newspapers adds that Rajoelina was impeached on October 14 after fleeing, offering a distinct procedural framing alongside the military ouster language used elsewhere.
Rajoelina's Nationality Debate
The nationality controversy predates the coup. Outlets recount that Rajoelina’s 2014 French naturalization sparked debate and controversy ahead of the 2023 presidential race. BBC notes it had prompted calls for his disqualification.
RFI adds he defended it as facilitating his children’s education. TheCable reports the constitutional court ultimately upheld his candidacy. African coverage also highlights that he won amid opposition boycotts, shaping the backdrop to today’s decision.
Political Transition and Monitoring
Looking ahead, African outlets focus on a transition roadmap under Colonel Michael Randrianirina. He has pledged to hold elections within two years. Some reports describe the security pressures surrounding Rajoelina’s flight and his unclear whereabouts.
“Coup leader Michael Randrianirina was sworn in on 17 October and has pledged to hold elections within two years.”
Nigerianeye uniquely notes that the African Union is monitoring the situation. It also mentions that France has remained diplomatically quiet. This context is not reflected in the Western mainstream news snippets provided.
