Madagascar Regime Revokes Rajoelina’s Nationality

Madagascar’s military-led regime has revoked ousted president Andry Rajoelina’s Malagasy nationality via a decree signed by Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo and published in the official gazette, citing the law that acquiring a foreign nationality causes loss of Malagasy citizenship. Rajoelina, who reportedly acquired French citizenship in 2014, is now barred from participating in future elections. The takeover culminated with Col. Michael Randrianirina being sworn in as president, and Rajoelina’s whereabouts remain unknown; he has said he went into hiding for his safety. The United Nations says a harsh crackdown on weeks of youth-led protests over water and electricity cuts and wider grievances left dozens dead and many injured. Authorities have arrested an ally of Rajoelina on suspected money-laundering charges and have signalled plans to hold elections within two years.