Deposed Madagascar president Andriy Rajoelina has been stripped of his citizenship

Madagascar’s former president Andriy Rajoelina, who was ousted in a coup last week, has been stripped of his citizenship by the new regime.

The order, signed by new Prime Minister Herintzalama Rajaonarivelo, cited local laws that state that people who acquire foreign citizenship must lose their Malagasy citizenship.

Radoelina, 51, was granted French citizenship a decade ago, prompting calls for his disqualification from the 2023 presidential election. But he defied those calls and won.

He fled the African island nation after weeks of protests against persistent power and water shortages, culminating in a military takeover led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina.

Radoelina said he went into hiding for his own safety and his whereabouts remain unclear.

When he revealed his French citizenship months before Madagascar’s last presidential election, he claimed he had acquired it secretly to facilitate his children studying in France.

He has faced demonstrations in recent weeks, originally organized by the Gen Z Mada youth movement and inspired by similar anti-government protests in Nepal, which only escalated when the government responded with violence.

Rajoelina fired her energy minister and then the government – ​​but that did little to quell calls for him to step down.

Protesters hoped Rajoelina would resign to pave the way for a smooth, democratic transition.

Instead, he clung to power, which eventually led to the seizure of power by Madagascar’s elite military unit, of which Randrianirina was head.

He has now sworn in and formed a new government, promising to hold elections within two years.