Madagascar has plunged into political turmoil after an elite military unit announced on Tuesday that it had seized power, shortly after lawmakers voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of mounting protests against his government.
Celebrations broke out across the capital, Antananarivo, as the CAPSAT military unit, which joined demonstrators over the weekend, declared that it had taken control of the Indian Ocean nation.
The presidency, however, condemned the development as “an attempted coup,” insisting that Rajoelina remains the legitimate president, though reports indicate he has gone into hiding and may have left the country.
Rajoelina, 51, had on Monday rejected calls to resign amid growing public anger over chronic power and water shortages that evolved into a broader anti-government movement.
Outside the presidential palace, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of CAPSAT, announced the suspension of the constitution and the creation of a transitional governing committee made up of representatives from the army, gendarmerie, and national police.
“This committee will carry out the functions of the presidency,” Randrianirina declared. “In the coming days, a civilian government will be established to support the transition.”
Shortly after the announcement, CAPSAT officers paraded through the capital in armored vehicles, cheered on by jubilant residents waving flags and honking horns in celebration.
“It’s a huge joy,” said Baovola Zanarison Rakotomanga, a 41-year-old businesswoman celebrating at City Hall. “We have suffered for too long — this feels like a new beginning for our country.”
The takeover came hours after parliament overwhelmingly voted to impeach Rajoelina, with 130 lawmakers supporting the motion — far exceeding the required two-thirds threshold.
The presidency had attempted to block the move by ordering the dissolution of the National Assembly, labeling the session “illegal,” but the Constitutional Court later validated the impeachment and recognized Randrianirina’s authority.
Rajoelina, who also holds French citizenship, released a televised address late Monday, insisting he remained president and was “in a safe place to protect [his] life.” Some reports suggest he may have fled to Dubai.
“I am on a mission to find solutions to this crisis,” Rajoelina said, vowing not to allow Madagascar “to destroy itself.”
The political unrest began as a youth-led protest movement on September 25, fueled by economic hardship and government mismanagement. Tensions escalated over the weekend when CAPSAT, which also played a major role in the 2009 coup that first brought Rajoelina to power, switched sides to support protesters.
The gendarmerie later admitted to “excesses” during earlier crackdowns on demonstrations, which the UN said had left at least 22 people dead, a figure disputed by the government.
At a rally outside City Hall on Tuesday, protesters also accused France of meddling in Madagascar’s internal affairs.
“It’s like they’re colonizing us again,” said Koloina Rakotomavonirina, a 26-year-old civil engineer. “We want France to leave our island for good.”
The African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and United Nations have all expressed concern over the situation.
“If there is a coup underway, we stand against it,” said Farhan Haq, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “We are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.”
