Antananarivo, Madagascar: Madagascar’s ousted president confirmed for the first time that he had fled the country, issuing a statement after a military-led power grab prompted by weeks of demonstrations that have plunged the island nation into crisis. President Andry Rajoelina left between October 11 and 12 after “explicit and extremely serious threats were made against the life of the Head of State,” the presidency said in a statement late Wednesday. The threats had come when he was due to travel abroad for a mission, the statement sent to AFP said.

President Rajoelina faces growing pressure to resign as parts of the army side with protesters after weeks of unrest.

Elite Capsat unit that played a major role in Andry Rajoelina’s rise to presidency joined gen Z protests against corruption