Madagascar in Political Turmoil as Military Seizes Power After President Rajoelina’s Impeachment
Madagascar’s elite army unit takes control after President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment, sparking global concern and uncertainty over the country’s democratic future.
Madagascar has been plunged into political chaos after an elite military unit seized control of the government following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina.
According to Punch Newspaper, the dramatic power shift occurred on Wednesday when the CAPSAT contingent, an elite arm of the military, took over key government institutions in the capital, Antananarivo, just hours after parliament voted to remove Rajoelina from office.
Reports indicate that the embattled president fled the country amid growing protests and mounting opposition. The move marks Madagascar as the latest in a string of African nations—following Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea—to experience military takeovers since 2020.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the CAPSAT unit, has been declared interim president by the country’s top court. In a televised address, Randrianirina denied staging a coup, claiming the intervention was to “rescue the nation from collapse.” He pledged to restore civilian rule within 18 to 24 months and promised institutional reforms and elections before the transition ends.
The African Union swiftly suspended Madagascar from all its activities, calling the military action unconstitutional. The United Nations, France, Germany, and Russia also expressed concern, urging calm, dialogue, and a return to democratic order.
Meanwhile, the youth-led Gen Z Movement, which had spearheaded recent protests over water and electricity shortages, hailed the development as a victory for the people. “We’re anxious about the future, but this feels like our first real win,” said 26-year-old rugby team captain, Fenitra Razafindramanga.
However, Rajoelina’s camp insists he remains the legitimate president, describing the court’s endorsement of Randrianirina as “illegal and politically motivated.”
Rajoelina’s presidency has long been controversial—he first came to power in 2009 through a military-backed coup and later returned via disputed elections in 2023. His administration was widely criticized for corruption, economic decline, and poor governance.
As Madagascar navigates this uncertain transition, global observers are watching closely to see whether the country will truly reform—or once again fall into the cycle of military dominance and fragile democracy.
Madagascar’s elite army unit takes control after President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment, sparking global concern and uncertainty over the country’s democratic future.
Madagascar has been plunged into political chaos after an elite military unit seized control of the government following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina.
According to Punch Newspaper, the dramatic power shift occurred on Wednesday when the CAPSAT contingent, an elite arm of the military, took over key government institutions in the capital, Antananarivo, just hours after parliament voted to remove Rajoelina from office.
Reports indicate that the embattled president fled the country amid growing protests and mounting opposition. The move marks Madagascar as the latest in a string of African nations—following Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea—to experience military takeovers since 2020.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the CAPSAT unit, has been declared interim president by the country’s top court. In a televised address, Randrianirina denied staging a coup, claiming the intervention was to “rescue the nation from collapse.” He pledged to restore civilian rule within 18 to 24 months and promised institutional reforms and elections before the transition ends.
The African Union swiftly suspended Madagascar from all its activities, calling the military action unconstitutional. The United Nations, France, Germany, and Russia also expressed concern, urging calm, dialogue, and a return to democratic order.
Meanwhile, the youth-led Gen Z Movement, which had spearheaded recent protests over water and electricity shortages, hailed the development as a victory for the people. “We’re anxious about the future, but this feels like our first real win,” said 26-year-old rugby team captain, Fenitra Razafindramanga.
However, Rajoelina’s camp insists he remains the legitimate president, describing the court’s endorsement of Randrianirina as “illegal and politically motivated.”
Rajoelina’s presidency has long been controversial—he first came to power in 2009 through a military-backed coup and later returned via disputed elections in 2023. His administration was widely criticized for corruption, economic decline, and poor governance.
As Madagascar navigates this uncertain transition, global observers are watching closely to see whether the country will truly reform—or once again fall into the cycle of military dominance and fragile democracy.
Madagascar in Political Turmoil as Military Seizes Power After President Rajoelina’s Impeachment
Madagascar’s elite army unit takes control after President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment, sparking global concern and uncertainty over the country’s democratic future.
Madagascar has been plunged into political chaos after an elite military unit seized control of the government following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina.
According to Punch Newspaper, the dramatic power shift occurred on Wednesday when the CAPSAT contingent, an elite arm of the military, took over key government institutions in the capital, Antananarivo, just hours after parliament voted to remove Rajoelina from office.
Reports indicate that the embattled president fled the country amid growing protests and mounting opposition. The move marks Madagascar as the latest in a string of African nations—following Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea—to experience military takeovers since 2020.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the CAPSAT unit, has been declared interim president by the country’s top court. In a televised address, Randrianirina denied staging a coup, claiming the intervention was to “rescue the nation from collapse.” He pledged to restore civilian rule within 18 to 24 months and promised institutional reforms and elections before the transition ends.
The African Union swiftly suspended Madagascar from all its activities, calling the military action unconstitutional. The United Nations, France, Germany, and Russia also expressed concern, urging calm, dialogue, and a return to democratic order.
Meanwhile, the youth-led Gen Z Movement, which had spearheaded recent protests over water and electricity shortages, hailed the development as a victory for the people. “We’re anxious about the future, but this feels like our first real win,” said 26-year-old rugby team captain, Fenitra Razafindramanga.
However, Rajoelina’s camp insists he remains the legitimate president, describing the court’s endorsement of Randrianirina as “illegal and politically motivated.”
Rajoelina’s presidency has long been controversial—he first came to power in 2009 through a military-backed coup and later returned via disputed elections in 2023. His administration was widely criticized for corruption, economic decline, and poor governance.
As Madagascar navigates this uncertain transition, global observers are watching closely to see whether the country will truly reform—or once again fall into the cycle of military dominance and fragile democracy.
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