ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (BN24) — Madagascar’s military declared it had taken control of the country on Tuesday after lawmakers impeached President Andry Rajoelina and he fled the country amid mounting youth-led protests and growing defections within the armed forces.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who led a recent mutiny, announced the power shift in a national radio broadcast, stating the military had assumed authority and would suspend key state institutions, except the National Assembly. “We have taken the power,” he said, adding that the armed forces would oversee a transitional government for up to two years before holding elections.
Randrianirina, a commander in the elite CAPSAT unit instrumental in Rajoelina’s own 2009 coup, broke with the president last week. He said the new ruling committee would govern alongside a transitional administration.
A statement issued by military leaders confirmed the suspension of several major institutions, including the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, the electoral commission, the High Court of Justice, and the High Council for the Defense of Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
The 51-year-old Rajoelina, whose whereabouts remain unknown, had earlier attempted to dissolve the lower house by decree. Lawmakers moved ahead regardless, voting to impeach him and sparking a constitutional crisis. That deadlock paved the way for the military to act.
In a defiant address the night before the takeover, Rajoelina insisted he had relocated for safety due to threats to his life. Multiple sources, including an opposition leader, a military official, and a foreign diplomat, confirmed he left Madagascar aboard a French military plane on Sunday.
Even his ruling coalition, which held a majority in parliament, turned against him, with members supporting the impeachment on grounds of “activities incompatible with presidential duties.” In recent days, Rajoelina had warned of an ongoing coup attempt.
Protests first erupted on September 25, triggered by shortages of water and electricity, but quickly evolved into a broader uprising against government corruption, poor services, and mismanagement. Madagascar’s predominantly young population fueled the movement—more than 75% of its 30 million citizens live in poverty, with an average age under 20.
Thousands took to the streets Tuesday at Antananarivo’s central 13 May Square, waving Malagasy flags and banners. Many bore the skull-and-crossbones symbol popularized by the “One Piece” anime, a signature emblem of the Gen Z-led protests. Chants accusing Rajoelina of serving French interests echoed through the colonial-era boulevards.
Randrianirina appeared before the crowd during the demonstration, asking if they were ready to accept military rule. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
“We’re so happy Andry Rajoelina is finally gone,” said high school student Fih Nomensanahary, celebrating with friends. Others expressed concern about the military’s next steps. “They need to hand over to a civilian administration quickly and have an election,” said Rezafy Lova, a 68-year-old IT consultant.
In the days leading up to the takeover, CAPSAT forces refused to fire on protesters and declared solidarity with them. The unit later installed a new army chief, prompting Rajoelina to accuse the military of staging an illegal power grab. The paramilitary gendarmerie and national police also broke ranks, leaving the president increasingly isolated.
Rajoelina, who originally rose to power through a military-backed coup, now finds himself ousted similarly, amid deepening economic despair. According to the World Bank, Madagascar’s GDP per capita has dropped 45% since independence in 1960.
