The office of Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has declared that an attempt to unlawfully seize power is currently underway within the nation.
In a development shortly thereafter, the army unit known as CAPSAT claimed control over the military command, stating they had taken over all armed forces, including land, air, and naval divisions.
This unit had significant involvement during the 2009 political crisis which enabled Rajoelina to ascend to power.
Protests began on September 25, led by the youth against water and power outages, escalating into wider grievances regarding the government's handling of high unemployment, corruption, and rising costs of living.
Although Rajoelina's current location remains unconfirmed, he has accused those attempting to take power of acting in violation of the Constitution and democratic principles. He has called for unity among the nation's key forces to defend constitutional order and national sovereignty.
In further complications, CAPSAT appointed a new army chief of staff, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, which was acknowledged by the armed forces minister, Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo.
The protests saw a decrease in disruption by Monday morning with most shops reopening in the capital, Antananarivo. Demonstrators expressed a sense of victory, claiming they had finally conquered May 13 Square, a symbolic location for democracy protests.
The protests gained momentum when some troops from CAPSAT joined demonstrators, further complicating an already volatile situation. Reports of violence between security units and protestors have emerged, with allegations of excessive force condemned internationally.
Rajoelina’s administration has faced significant challenges since the elections in 2023, and the ongoing movement known as Gen Z Mada poses a critical threat to his governance. The unrest echoes throughout Madagascar’s tumultuous political history, revealing deep-seated issues that continue to affect its citizens.
