Photos| Despite the expansion of the demonstrations, the President of Madagascar announces that he is… "Safe place" He refuses to step down

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said Monday that he… "Safe place" And he urged "Respect the constitution"While the country has been witnessing anti-government demonstrations for weeks, in his first speech since soldiers joined the protesters at the weekend.

In a speech broadcast live on Facebook, in which he did not reveal his whereabouts, the 51-year-old president said that in "Safe place" after "Assassination attempt".

He confirmed that "The only way to solve these problems is to respect the Constitution"He refused to step down in response to a call launched by the protest movement that has been taking place since September 25 on the poor island located in the Indian Ocean.

According to Radio France Internationale "RFE"Rajoelina boarded on Sunday "A French military plane to the island of Reunion, before leaving for another destination with his family".

During his participation in a summit on Gazaat the Sharm El-Sheikh resort in Egypt,

French President Emmanuel Macron in response to a question in this regard "I’m not confirming anything today"expressing "Great concern" Regarding Madagascar.

The French President added "I would like to express here our great concern, and France’s friendship towards the Malagasy people. I believe that it is very important to preserve the constitutional order and institutional continuity in Madagascar, because the matter is related to the stability of the country and the interests of its people."

Macron continued "We look at the youth of these countries with great admiration and affection. These are young people who have expressed their opinions, are political, and want to live better. They should simply not be exploited by military factions or foreign interventions"

Rajoelina, who won a new five-year presidential term in 2023 in elections boycotted by the opposition, was accused of "A group of military and politicians" By seeking to kill him.

And Rajoelina’s speech was postponed more than once on Monday due to the entry "A group of armed soldiers" The headquarters of the state television, which did not broadcast the speech in the end.

Rajoelina said in his speech "I had to find a safe place to protect my life today. In everything that is happening, I have never stopped looking for solutions".

And he pointed out that it was not "grudge" For those involved in "An attempt on his life"He emphasized that he was open to "Dialogue to get out of this situation"

Rajoelina recalled the scarcity of international funding that threatens the country if it plunges into political turmoil, which is what happened following the 2009 coup that brought him to power for the first time.

At least 80 percent of Madagascar’s 32 million people live on less than 15,000 ariary per day (2.80 euros). That is, below the poverty line determined by the World Bank.