Madagascar Junta Strips Ousted President Rajoelina of Citizenship

Madagascar’s ousted President, Andry Rajoelina, has been stripped of his citizenship by the country’s new military regime, days after he was toppled in a coup that ended weeks of anti-government protests.

The order, signed by newly appointed Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, said the decision was in line with local nationality laws, which stipulate that citizens who acquire foreign citizenship automatically lose their Malagasy nationality.

Rajoelina, 51, reportedly obtained French citizenship over a decade ago, a revelation that stirred controversy and calls for his disqualification ahead of the 2023 presidential election, which he eventually won.

The former president fled the Indian Ocean island nation following escalating protests over persistent power outages and water shortages, which culminated in a military takeover led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina.

In a statement released before his disappearance, Rajoelina said he went into hiding “for personal safety” after the army seized power. His exact whereabouts remain unknown.

Political observers say the latest move by the junta marks a final break with the former leader, who once rose to prominence as a young reformist before becoming a polarizing figure accused of authoritarian tendencies.

The street protests that led to Rajoelina’s downfall were spearheaded by Gen Z Mada, a youth movement inspired by similar demonstrations in Nepal.

The rallies quickly gained momentum amid worsening living conditions and accusations of corruption within the government.

The former president’s attempts to calm the unrest, including sacking his energy minister and later dissolving his entire cabinet failed to appease protesters demanding his resignation.

Finally, US, China End Trade War

The United States and China have reached a framework agreement for a potential trade deal expected to be finalised when both leaders, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, meet later this week in South Korea.

US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, disclosed this during an interview with CBS, the BBC’s US news partner, saying the agreement covers a “final deal” on TikTok’s US operations and a deferral of China’s tightened restrictions on rare earth mineral exports.

He added that he does not expect the 100 per cent tariff earlier threatened by President Trump on Chinese goods to take effect, while China will resume large-scale purchases of US soybeans.

“We have reached a substantial framework for the two leaders,” Bessent said. “The tariffs will be averted.”

The development comes as both nations seek to prevent a fresh escalation in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Bessent met senior Chinese trade officials on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia, which President Trump also attended as part of his Asian tour.

In a statement, the Chinese government confirmed that both sides held “constructive discussions” and “reached a basic consensus on arrangements to address their respective concerns.”

“Both sides agreed to further finalise specific details,” Beijing stated.

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has reintroduced aggressive trade policies, arguing that imposing tariffs on imported goods would boost US manufacturing and job creation.

His tariff measures have led several countries, including the United Kingdom, to renegotiate trade terms with Washington.

China has been the main target of the US president’s tariff strategy. Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods starting in November, following Beijing’s decision to tighten export controls on rare earth minerals — essential materials used in electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies.

China processes about 90 per cent of the world’s rare earths, making it a dominant player in the global supply chain. Its restrictions earlier this year sparked outrage from US manufacturers that depend on the materials.

Bessent said China had now agreed to delay those export restrictions for one year while the two countries review their trade terms.

One of the biggest casualties of the trade dispute has been US soybean farmers, as China — the world’s largest soybean importer — halted purchases during the height of the trade conflict.

Bessent, himself a soybean farmer, hinted that the new framework would ease the pain of American farmers.

“I think we have addressed the farmers’ concerns,” he said. “When the announcement of the deal with China is made public, our soybean farmers will feel really good about what’s going on for this season and the coming seasons.”

The US Treasury Secretary also revealed that both countries had reached a final understanding on TikTok’s US operations, with Trump and Xi expected to “consummate that transaction” during their meeting on Thursday.

The White House had earlier insisted that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, must divest its US arm over national security concerns. However, Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline to allow for negotiations.

Under the proposed arrangement, US companies will control TikTok’s algorithm, while Americans will hold six of seven board seats for its US entity.

Trump, who once called for TikTok’s outright ban, has since shifted position, using the app as part of his outreach strategy during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, Washington announced on Sunday that new trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia had been finalised, while frameworks had also been agreed with Thailand and Vietnam as part of efforts to expand American trade ties in Asia.

The outcome of this week’s meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to shape the next phase of US–China relations and determine whether the long-running trade tensions between both countries will ease or reignite.

CARICOM Welcomes Gaza Peace Plan, Calls for Lasting Ceasefire

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has expressed cautious optimism over the agreement reached on the initial phase of a peace plan for Gaza, describing it as a vital step toward easing the humanitarian crisis and advancing lasting peace in the region.

In a statement issued after the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, the regional bloc commended the progress made in negotiations, saying the deal offers hope for both the Palestinian people and the safe return of Israeli hostages.

CARICOM said the stipulated terms of the agreement — including a sustained pause in hostilities, withdrawal of military forces, reciprocal release of hostages and prisoners, and the guarantee of immediate and safe humanitarian access — represent “constructive and fundamental” measures toward stability.

“We view this development as a critical step toward alleviating the immense suffering of the Palestinian people, and the safe return of the Israeli hostages,” the statement read.

The Community, however, urged all signatories to fully honour their commitments, warning that the progress achieved so far must not be undermined by renewed violence or political division.

“CARICOM emphatically calls upon all signatories to honour these commitments in full and to ensure this first phase serves as a foundation for a permanent and unconditional ceasefire,” the regional body stated.

Reiterating its long-standing support for a Two-State Solution, CARICOM said a just and durable peace can only be secured through negotiations rooted in international law and mutual recognition of the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.

“A just and lasting peace, in accordance with international law, can only be achieved through a negotiated Two-State Solution, which upholds the legitimate aspirations for security and dignity of both nations,” the statement added.