An elite military unit in Madagascar has seized power after the country’s parliament impeached President Andry Rajoelina, who has fled to an undisclosed ‘safe place’ amid widespread youth-led protests.
The crisis in Madagascar escalated rapidly over the past two weeks, beginning with demonstrations on September 25 led by Gen Z activists protesting chronic water and power outages. These initial grievances soon broadened into a wider movement against President Rajoelina’s government, citing high unemployment, rampant corruption, and a severe cost-of-living crisis that has affected millions.
A pivotal moment occurred on Saturday when the CAPSAT military unit, the most powerful in Madagascar, joined the protesters and turned against the president. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of CAPSAT, announced that the unit would refuse orders to shoot demonstrators, signaling a shift in military allegiance and intensifying the pressure on Rajoelina.
On Tuesday, the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to impeach President Rajoelina, with 130 lawmakers in favor and only one blank ballot, accusing him of abandonment of post. This came after Rajoelina attempted to preempt the vote by dissolving the parliament, but lawmakers proceeded regardless, creating a constitutional deadlock.
Shortly after the impeachment, Colonel Randrianirina declared that the military had taken control of the country. He announced the suspension of key institutions, including the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, and the electoral commission, and stated that a military-led committee would govern for up to two years before holding elections and a referendum on a new constitution.
President Rajoelina, whose whereabouts remain unknown, denounced the military’s actions as an ‘attempted coup d’etat’ and asserted that he remains the legitimate leader. In a statement, his office claimed he had moved to a ‘safe place’ due to an alleged plot against his life by military personnel and politicians, though CAPSAT denied any involvement.
The international community has reacted with concern. The African Union warned against any unconstitutional change of government, while the United States urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution. French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as ‘greatly worrying,’ amid unconfirmed reports that Rajoelina left the country on a French military aircraft.
Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest nations with 75% of its 30 million people living in poverty, has a history of political turmoil. Rajoelina first came to power in a 2009 coup supported by CAPSAT but later stepped down before returning via elections. The current protests have resulted in at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries, according to the UN, though the government disputes these figures.
The military’s takeover marks a significant shift, with crowds celebrating in the streets of Antananarivo. The future remains uncertain, as the transitional government faces the challenge of addressing the protesters’ demands while navigating international pressure and internal divisions. The planned two-year timeline for elections will be closely watched for its adherence to democratic principles.