Andry Rajoelina

Andry Rajoelina lived in Madagascar.

He worked many jobs. He was a DJ. He also ran a printing business. Later, he owned radio and TV stations.

He became a leader in his city. He wanted to change things. This led to a hard time for the country. Many people were sad and hurt.

He later became the president. He led during a big storm. He also led during a time when food was scarce.

He had many years of work. He was a very busy man. Do you like to lead?

Andry Rajoelina is a leader from Madagascar.

He started as a DJ. He also ran businesses for printing and media. He owned radio and TV stations. In 2007, he became the Mayor of Antananarivo. This is the capital city of Madagascar.

His time as mayor led to a political crisis. He led protests against the president. This caused a hard time for the country. Many people were hurt during the unrest. In 2009, the military helped him take power. Many groups called this a coup. A coup is when leaders take power by force.

He led a group called the High Transitional Authority. He later won a real election. He became the President of Madagascar in 2019. He led during a big storm and a food crisis.

In 2025, there were many protests in his country. People were upset about water and power. This led to more trouble for his government. After a struggle, the military took power. Rajoelina was removed from his job.

Andry Rajoelina is a well-known leader from Madagascar. He was born on May 30, 1974, in a town called Antsirabe. His father was a colonel in the army. Even though his family had money for college, Andry chose a different path. He finished his studies and began a career as a DJ. He worked in nightclubs in the capital city, Antananarivo. He became popular for organizing music events for young people. This early work helped him learn how to connect with others.

Before he entered politics, Rajoelina was a successful businessman. In 1993, he started a small company for events. Later, in 1999, he launched a digital printing company called Injet. He also worked in advertising with large billboards. In 2007, he bought radio and television stations. He renamed them Viva FM and Viva TV. These businesses helped him become a very famous person in Madagascar. He used his media tools to reach many people across the country.

His journey into politics began with a new group. He formed a party called Young Malagasies Determined. In 2007, he ran for Mayor of Antananarivo and won. He won with 63.3% of the vote.

While serving as mayor, he disagreed with President Marc Ravalomanana. Tensions grew over many things. The government closed Rajoelina's TV station in late 2008. This led to large protests in the streets of the capital. Many people joined Rajoelina in his movement against the president.

In 2009, a major political crisis changed everything. After many protests and riots, President Ravalomanana resigned in March. The military then gave power to Rajoelina. He became the head of the High Transitional Authority.

Many countries and groups, like the African Union, called this a coup. They believed the change in power was not following the law. Rajoelina led the country during this transition period. He eventually stepped down in 2014 after new elections were held.

Later, Rajoelina returned to high office through elections. He won the presidency in 2018 and started his term in 2019.

He led the nation through hard times like the COVID-19 pandemic and a big cyclone. In 2025, the country faced more trouble with water and power cuts. This caused large protests that led to many deaths. After a period of great unrest, the military took control. Rajoelina was removed from his office by the military. His story shows how leadership and power can change quickly.

Andry Nirina Rajoelina is a prominent politician and businessman from Madagascar. He served as the eighth president of Madagascar from 2019 to 2025. Before this, he led the High Transitional Authority from 2009 to 2014. His rise to power began in the private sector. He was a successful entrepreneur in media and advertising. This background helped him build a public image before entering government. His life reflects the complex political history of Madagascar.

Born on May 30, 1974, in Antsirabe, Rajoelina grew up in a wealthy family. His father, Colonel Roger Yves Rajoelina, was a dual Malagasy and French citizen. After finishing his baccalauréat, Rajoelina chose to work as a disc jockey. He launched his first event production company, Show Business, in 1993. In 1999, he started Injet, a digital printing and advertising firm. By 2007, he had expanded into broadcasting by purchasing the Viva radio and television networks. These businesses allowed him to build a massive platform for communication.

In 2007, Rajoelina moved into formal politics by forming the Young Malagasies Determined party. He ran for Mayor of Antananarivo, the capital city, and won. He secured 63.3% of the vote during a 55% voter turnout.

As mayor, he became a leader of the opposition against President Marc Ravalomanana. Tensions rose over several issues, including government control of advertising and large state purchases. For example, the government bought a $60 million Boeing 737 jet. This purchase led the World Bank to suspend $35 million in financial support. Rajoelina used these economic concerns to gain more public support.

Conflict between the mayor and the president intensified in 2008 and 2009. The national government closed Rajoelina's Viva TV station in December 2008. In response, Rajoelina organized large political rallies in downtown Antananarivo.

These demonstrations grew into a major political crisis. In early 2009, unrest spread across the country, resulting in at least 135 deaths. A specific march in February 2009 ended in a massacre that killed at least 31 people. Following these events, President Ravalomanana resigned in March 2009. The military then handed executive authority to Rajoelina, who was only 34 years old.

This transfer of power was highly controversial. The international community, including the African Union and the United Nations, described the event as a coup d'état. A coup d'état is an illegal or unconstitutional change of government. Because of this, many countries suspended aid to Madagascar. Rajoelina led the High Transitional Authority (HTA) during this period. He oversaw the dissolution of the Senate and the National Assembly. Eventually, a new constitution was approved in a 2010 referendum, creating the Fourth Republic. Rajoelina stepped down in 2014 after general elections were held.

After his time in the transitional government, Rajoelina returned to power through democratic elections. He won the 2018 presidential election and was inaugurated on January 19, 2019.

His presidency faced several major challenges. He managed the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a food insecurity crisis in 2021. He also dealt with the impact of Cyclone Batsirai. Despite these difficulties, he won the 2023 presidential election. His leadership style often involved direct communication with the public through his established media connections.

In September 2025, Madagascar entered a period of intense instability. Widespread protests broke out due to frequent cuts in water and electricity. These protests resulted in the deaths of over 20 people. Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay on September 29, 2025. He claimed that certain politicians were planning a coup while he was at the United Nations. In October 2025, the government claimed an attempt to topple the administration was underway. However, reports surfaced that Rajoelina had fled the country due to fear for his life.

His presidency ended following a period of rapid political change. After attempting to dissolve the National Assembly, Rajoelina faced impeachment. The military eventually announced that they had seized power. This sequence of events highlights how quickly political authority can shift in Madagascar. The transition from a businessman to a transitional leader, and finally to a president, shows the changing nature of Malagasy politics. His career remains a significant part of the nation's modern history.