Antananarivo, Madagascar — A volatile power struggle is unfolding in Madagascar as a key military unit declared it had seized control of the armed forces, shortly after the President’s office condemned an attempted coup.
The presidential office of Andry Rajoelina released a statement condemning what it called an attempt to “seize power illegally and by force,” in complete violation of the constitution. While President Rajoelina’s whereabouts remain unclear, he urged all national forces to unite in defending the constitutional order.
Hours after the statement, the army unit known as CAPSAT (Commandement de la zone d’Antananarivo), which previously played a crucial role in bringing Rajoelina to power in the 2009 political crisis, claimed control of all military branches—land, air, and naval forces. CAPSAT announced the appointment of a new army chief of staff, General Demosthene Pikulas, a move reportedly accepted by Armed Forces Minister Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo.
Protests Escalate with Military Backing
The military developments have coincided with escalating youth-led protests, known as Gen Z Mada, which initially began on September 25th over water and power cuts. These demonstrations have grown into a broader reflection of dissatisfaction with Rajoelina’s government, citing high unemployment, corruption, and a severe cost-of-living crisis.
On Sunday, protesters successfully reached the May 13 Square in the capital, Antananarivo—a focal point of previous uprisings that demonstrators had failed to reach until now. The breakthrough followed unexpected support from CAPSAT troops on Saturday, some of whom left their barracks to join the demonstration after the unit condemned the use of force against protesters by other security units.
“We’re happy and relieved. It’s a great victory. We won’t stop the struggle until President Rajoelina resigns,” one jubilant protester told the BBC.
The situation remains tense, with reports of shoot-outs at a CAPSAT camp on both Saturday and Sunday. The military unit confirmed that one of its soldiers was shot and killed by gendarmes on Saturday. The ongoing security risks have prompted Air France to suspend flights to Antananarivo until at least Tuesday.
The African Union has expressed deep concern over the developments and urged all sides to resolve the crisis through dialogue. The protest movement, which organises mainly via social media, represents the biggest challenge to President Rajoelina since his re-election in 2023.
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