Madagascar's president has fled the African nation, the head of the opposition and other officials told the media on Monday, October 13.

Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, leader of the opposition in parliament, told Reuters that Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday after units of the army defected and joined the protesters.

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"We called the staff of the presidency and they confirmed that he left the country," he said, adding that Rajoelina&039;s current whereabouts were unknown.

The president's office had earlier said Rajoelina would address the nation at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Monday. He had warned of "an attempted illegal and forcible seizure of power," on Sunday after an army unit known as CAPSAT joined the protests.

A military source told Reuters that Rajoelina flew out of the country on a French military aircraft on Sunday. French radio RFI said he had struck a deal with President Emmanuel Macron.

The source said that a French Army Casa aircraft landed in Madagascar's Sainte Marie airport on Sunday.

"Five minutes later, a helicopter arrived and transferred its passenger into the Casa," the source said, adding that Rajoelina was the passenger.

Demonstrations erupted in the former French colony on September 25 over water and power shortages but quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and lack of basic services.

A former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, Rajoelina, 51, has ruled Madagascar since 2009. He took power after a coup against Marc Ravalomanana.