CONFIRMED: Madagascar, the military takeover has started , after President Andry Rajoelina fled.
Madagascar’s political crisis reached a dramatic turning point as the military declared it had taken control of the country. The announcement came shortly after parliament voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, who is reported to have fled the capital amid growing defections within the armed forces. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, leader of the elite CAPSAT unit (Corps des Personnels et des Services Administratifs et Techniques,) addressed the nation on radio and declared: “We have taken the power,” stating that most state institutions would be suspended, with only the National Assembly spared.
The takeover is rooted in weeks of widespread protests, led largely by young people demanding better public services, accountability, and an end to corruption. The unrest was triggered by chronic water and electricity shortages in Antananarivo and spread across Madagascar as frustrations mounted over governance. CAPSAT’s defection from the government, siding with protestors instead of obeying orders to suppress them, served as the tipping point.
In 2009, CAPSAT supported Rajoelina when he took power after toppling the then-president, Marc Ravalomanana. Today, it is the same group turning against him, following massive protests opposing his government that began on July 25, 2025.
At the end of last week, the CAPSAT forces (Corps des personnels et des services administratifs et techniques) rebelled against Rajoelina’s rule, joining thousands of protesters demanding his resignation.
This happened shortly after the country’s National Assembly had completed a vote to impeach the president.
Madagascar comes to the list of other African countries that are being under the military takeover, including;
Burkina Faso
Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power in 2022 after a coup, citing worsening insecurity and inability of previous civilian governments to handle jihadist violence.
Mali
The military, under Col. Assimi Goïta, has been in power since a series of coups (2020, 2021). Civilian elections have been postponed multiple times.
Guinea-Conakry
Since September 2021, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya leads the military government after overthrowing Alpha Condé.
Niger
The overthrowing of President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023; General Abdourahamane Tchiani heads the junta.
Chad,
After the death of long-time president Idriss Déby, the military council led by his son Mahamat Idriss Déby took over in 2021; elections have repeatedly been delayed.
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