An elite military unit in Madagascar announced on Tuesday that it has seized power, following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina after weeks of anti-government protests. The takeover comes as the country grapples with political unrest and public demonstrations demanding reform.
Rajoelina, who claimed in a Facebook Live video on Monday that he went into hiding after alleged assassination attempts, had resisted calls to resign. However, the Capsat military unit, which controls administrative and technical services within the armed forces, sided with the demonstrators over the weekend.
The presidential office described the situation as an “attempted coup d’état” in a statement, insisting that Rajoelina “remains fully in office and is ensuring the maintenance of constitutional order and national stability.”
Rajoelina has not been publicly seen in Madagascar for several days. Reports indicate he left the Indian Ocean island on a French military aircraft on Sunday night, after Capsat announced it would not fire on protesters. Earlier clashes between police forces and demonstrators had already resulted in deaths, according to United Nations figures.
The protests began on September 25, initially sparked by water and electricity shortages. They quickly escalated into calls for political reform and Rajoelina’s resignation. Demonstrations were coordinated by Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless youth group that uses social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Discord, and Signal to organize.
Col. Michael Randrianirina, head of Capsat, said the military will form a council of officers from the army, gendarmerie, and police, with plans to appoint a prime minister to rapidly establish a civilian government. “Perhaps in time [the council] will include senior civilian advisers,” Randrianirina said. “At the same time, after a few days, we will set up a civilian government.”
Minutes before the military announcement, Madagascar’s lower house of parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina for desertion of duty. The presidency denounced the vote as lacking legal basis, noting that the president had dissolved parliament earlier in an attempt to protect his position.
Capsat’s intervention marks a dramatic turn for Rajoelina, a former DJ who initially rose to power with military backing in 2009 amid protests over living costs. He first served as president until 2014 and returned to office in 2019, winning re-election in 2023 amid allegations of election rigging.
Madagascar remains one of the world’s poorest nations, with a GDP per capita of $545 in 2024. The island is rich in natural resources, including vanilla and precious gems, though reports highlight longstanding issues of corruption and exploitation. Transparency International ranked Madagascar 140 out of 180 countries on its 2024 corruption perceptions index.
The UN reported that 22 people died during the early protests, both from security forces and unrelated violence and looting. Rajoelina initially denied fatalities, later acknowledging the deaths of 12 “looters and vandals.”
Capsat officially took control of the military on Sunday, appointing Gen. Demosthene Pikulas as chief of army staff. The gendarmerie also aligned with the new military leadership, acknowledging errors in handling earlier protests. Pikulas said the army has a duty to restore calm and peace across Madagascar.
Gen Z Madagascar celebrated the military’s move. “It’s a great day to be alive!!” the group posted on Instagram, sharing videos of people rejoicing. An 18-year-old activist involved with the movement said the army’s actions aligned with the public’s goals, noting the irony of Rajoelina calling it a coup when he himself came to power through military intervention.
Other activists expressed cautious optimism, welcoming the end of what they saw as a corrupt system while remaining wary of the military’s intentions. Malagasy novelist Jean-Luc Raharimanana called the overthrow “a utopia in progress,” expressing hope that the outcome honors the public’s struggle for change.
As Madagascar adjusts to new leadership, the country faces uncertain political and economic conditions, with the public and international observers watching closely to see if a civilian government will soon be restored.
