Africa-Press. Madagascar’s military government has criticized Eswatini for hosting ousted president Andry Rajoelina last week, describing the visit as a “serious violation” of its sovereignty.
Last Friday, Eswatini’s government released photos of King Mswati III meeting Rajoelina and calling on Madagascar’s military council to restore constitutional order.
In a statement, Madagascar’s army chief, Colonel Michael Randrianarivelo, expressed his “strongest condemnation” of the visit, calling it “politically unacceptable.” Rajoelina was ousted in October by a military elite after weeks of youth-led protests on the Indian Ocean island. Demonstrations erupted over persistent shortages of electricity and water, culminating in the army siding with protesters.
This marked the first time the ousted president had been seen in a diplomatic meeting since fleeing Madagascar. King Mswati III’s office said the meeting was part of Eswatini’s regional diplomatic mediation role and was not intended to interfere in Madagascar’s internal affairs.
In its statement, Madagascar’s military leadership said Rajoelina had voluntarily renounced his Malagasy nationality after obtaining another citizenship, warning that any attempt to portray himself as Madagascar’s legitimate representative “has no legal basis.”
The statement added that the situation is particularly serious as Rajoelina was head of state during the tragic events of September and October 2025, which left around 30 Malagasy citizens dead.
Military authorities said hosting Rajoelina in Eswatini could undermine the ongoing national reconciliation process and efforts to restore constitutional rule in Madagascar.
In a response issued Monday, Percy Simelane, spokesperson for the monarchy, said the ousted leader was not seeking “protection or intervention” from the Kingdom of Eswatini. He noted that the king had consulted the regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), before meeting Rajoelina.
“Attacking the people of Eswatini is wrong and unfortunate,” he added. Randrianarivelo pledged to hold new elections within two years. In December, SADC urged Madagascar’s military authorities to present a roadmap for restoring democracy, including plans for new elections by February 28.
