JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina has been stripped of his citizenship by after he was ousted during a military takeover just over a week ago.
Rajoelina, whose whereabouts remains unknown after he fled the country following protests that demanded his resignation, also holds French citizenship.
The country's new prime minister, Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, has signed a decree invoking laws which strip all Madagascans of their citizenship if they have citizenship of another country.
Rajoelina's possession of French nationality had previously caused a debate about his eligibility to run for the president in the 2023 polls, an election he won.
He fled the country at the height of youth-led protests which brought thousands into the streets in several cities and initially sparked a harsh crackdown by security forces that left 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations.
At the time, he said he feared for his life and, and addressed the nation from an unknown location days before the military took over and Col. Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as president.
Madagascar has had several leaders removed in coups and has a history of political crises since it gained independence from France in 1960.
The 51-year-old Rajoelina first came to prominence as the leader of a transitional government following the 2009 coup that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to flee the country.
Constant water and electricity cuts were at the center of the latest youth revolt, but this quickly evolved to frustration over other issues like poverty and unemployment.
FILE - President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, left, and his wife Mialy Rajoelina arrive for a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, in Kigali, Rwanda, Sunday, April 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File)
This grab taken from video released on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, shows Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina giving a speech from an unknown location after an apparent coup attempt forced him into hiding. (Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar via AP)
CHICAGO (AP) — Devin Booker scored 30 points, Jalen Green added 25 and the Phoenix Suns ended the game on an 11-2 run to top the Chicago Bulls 120-110 on Sunday.
Dillon Brooks scored 15 points. He hit a fadeaway jumper and a 3 and blocked a shot during the decisive run, helping the Suns shake off back-to-back losses at Orlando and Charlotte.
The Suns led by 13 late in the third quarter before the Bulls went on an 11-0 run. They were clinging to a 109-108 advantage with about three minutes remaining when Brooks hit a turnaround jumper to start the decisive run and added a 3-pointer.
The Bulls missed four shots on their next possession, starting with a 3-point attempt by Guerschon Yabusele. Collin Sexton got the rebound for Chicago. But Leonard Miller missed a layup, a tip-in and had a put-back blocked by Brooks. Booker then made a 3 to make it 117-108 with 1:33 remaining.
Chicago’s Josh Giddey (strained left hamstring) and Matas Buzelis (illness) missed the game. And with their two best players out, the Bulls lost their seventh in a row.
Tre Jones scored 29 for Chicago. Collin Sexton had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Miller finished with 17 points and 10 boards.
The Suns led 84-71 late in the third quarter when Chicago's Rob Dillingham drove for a reverse layup to spark an 11-0 run. He also hit a 3 and made 1 of 2 free throws with a minute remaining to pull the Bulls within two.
Suns: Host Houston on Tuesday.
Bulls: Visit Washington on Tuesday and Thursday.
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Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones, right, drives against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin, left, defends Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin, center, battles for a rebound against Chicago Bulls forward Leonard Miller, left, and guard Rob Dillingham during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket past Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) and guard Collin Sexton, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
