Removed Madagascar President Stripped of Citizenship
Former leader of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, deposed through a putsch last week, was deprived of his nationality from the current authorities.
This directive, signed by the current PM Rajaonarivelo, referenced Madagascan statutes specifying that people who acquired overseas status should lose their national status.
He, 51, obtained nationality of France a decade ago, resulting in appeals for his removal from the recent presidential race. But he defied such appeals and ultimately triumphed.
The ex-leader left the island country after weeks of protests over chronic utility failures, ending with a seizure of power led by Col Michael Randrianirina.
The former leader stated he has disappeared from view for his own safety, and his whereabouts are unknown.
Upon making public his French nationality prior to the election, he stated he had only secretly acquired it to facilitate matters for his children studying in France.
In recent weeks, he had experienced protests first arranged by youth movement Gen Z Mada and inspired by comparable demonstrations against authorities in the Asian country, which were further aggravated when his regime answered with violence.
Rajoelina sacked his energy minister and then his government - but this failed to stop the demands for him to leave office.
Activists desired that the president would step down to create the path for a orderly, transfer of power.
Conversely, he refused to step down, finally causing the armed forces, of which the colonel commanded, to assume authority.
He has now been sworn in and has formed a new government, vowing to hold elections within the next couple of years.
