An army commander in Madagascar announced on Tuesday that the military has seized control of the country after President Andry Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers and fled amid weeks of nationwide protests led by young demonstrators.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who led a recent military mutiny, declared on national radio that the armed forces had assumed power following Rajoelina’s impeachment. “We have taken control,” Randrianirina said, adding that all state institutions except the National Assembly were being dissolved.
He later confirmed that a military-led committee would govern the country alongside a transitional administration for up to two years before organizing new elections. A statement from the military leadership announced the suspension of the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the High Court of Justice, and the High Council for the Defense of Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
The day marked a dramatic turn of events in the island nation off southern Africa’s coast. Earlier, the 51-year-old president—whose whereabouts remain unknown—had attempted to dissolve the lower house of parliament by decree. However, lawmakers proceeded with the impeachment vote, creating a power vacuum that the military quickly filled.
Rajoelina, who first rose to power through a coup in 2009, denounced the military takeover in a statement, calling it unconstitutional.
Randrianirina, a commander in the elite CAPSAT unit that supported Rajoelina’s 2009 rise, broke ranks last week. In a televised address Monday night, Rajoelina said he had moved to a “safe location” due to threats to his life. According to an opposition official, a military source, and a foreign diplomat, he fled Madagascar on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft.
Even members of his own ruling coalition, which holds a parliamentary majority, turned against him, voting to remove him from office over accusations of misconduct and dereliction of duty. Rajoelina had repeatedly warned of an imminent coup in recent days.
Mounting Unrest and Youth-Led Protests
The political upheaval follows weeks of mass demonstrations that began on September 25 over chronic water and power shortages and escalated into a nationwide protest movement decrying corruption, poor governance, and economic hardship.
At Antananarivo’s 13 May Square, thousands of protesters—many waving Malagasy flags and banners featuring the skull-and-crossbones symbol from the anime One Piece—called for Rajoelina’s resignation. When Colonel Randrianirina addressed the crowd, asking, “Are you ready to accept a military takeover?”, the crowd roared its approval.
While many celebrated the president’s ouster, others urged caution. “They need to hand over to a civilian administration quickly and hold elections,” said 68-year-old IT consultant Rezafy Lova.
Economic Challenges Persist
Madagascar’s economic struggles remain severe. The CAPSAT unit had earlier joined protesters, refusing orders to suppress demonstrations. Soon after, it assumed command of the armed forces and appointed a new army chief, prompting Rajoelina to accuse the military of plotting an illegal takeover.
The police and gendarmerie have since joined the rebellion. With a population of roughly 30 million—three-quarters of whom live in poverty—Madagascar’s economy has long been fragile. According to World Bank data, GDP per capita fell by 45% between 1960 and 2020.
The military now faces the daunting task of restoring order and charting a democratic path forward for one of Africa’s most politically volatile nations.
Source:Africa Publicity
