A faction of Madagascar’s military announced Tuesday that it has seized government power following reports of President Andry Rajoelina’s evacuation from the country. The apparent coup follows weeks of Gen Z protests against high unemployment, the rising cost of living, and government corruption.
On national radio, Colonel Michael Randrianirina annouced, “We have taken the power.” He voiced a plan to dissolve all government institutions except the National Assembly—the country’s lower house of parliament.
The “CAPSAT” unit’s government take-over came hours after Rajoelina announced the he sought to dissolve the National Assembly. Political opponents saw the decree as an unconstitutional attempt to block impeachment proceedings for Rajoelina’s alleged “abandonment of post.” Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, opposition leader in parliament, stated that the action was “not legally valid… [T]he President of the National Assembly says he was not consulted.”
On Monday, Rajoelina spoke on a live broadcast, saying he was sheltering in a “safe place” following an alleged attempt on his life. He did not confirm or deny media reports that he had fled the nation via French military aircraft. Rajoelina accused a group of military personnel and politicians of planning to assassinate him in an attempt to seize power.
The widespread protests gained significant momentum on Saturday when the Caspat unit publicly supported thousands of demonstrators demanding Rajoelina’s resignation. A senior army general stated that security forces were collaborating to maintain order amidst the unrest.
The coup leaves Madagascar’s constitutional future uncertain. The country now faces a standoff between the military, political opposition leaders, and remnants of Rajoelina’s government.
Rajoelina became president in 2009, in what the international community has condemned as a coup d’état. At the time he was mayor of capital city Antananarivo, and led a popular opposition movement against then-president Marc Ravalomanana, accusing him of corruption. Ravalomanana was forced to hand power to the military, which transferred leadership to Rajoelina, who headed a “High Transitional Authority” until 2014. Rajoelina won the 2018 presidential election and was re-elected in 2023 in a vote marred by boycotts and allegations of unfair practices.
Madagascar has been plagued by political instability, including assassinations, coups and disputed elections, since gaining independence from France in 1960. Rajoelina’s own rise to power was preceded by a series of national crises and power transfers.
Events in Madagascar reflect a continuing pattern of youth-led protests globally. In Bangladesh, a July 2024 student movement, demanding reforms to the job quota system, evolved into a “July Revolution” and led to the prime minister’s resignation. Similarly, September 2025 youth-led protests against corruption and government mismanagement in Nepal resulted in the prime minister stepping down. In Morocco, a youth movement known as “Gen Z 212” has organized major protests against government spending priorities, demanding greater investment in public services.
