CAPSAT army unit commander Col. Michael Randrianirina, heart, reads a press release saying that the armed forces are taking management of the nation from the steps of the Presidency in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Brian Inganga/AP
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Brian Inganga/AP
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The military in Madagascar seized energy on Tuesday, days after the president fled the African island nation saying he feared for his life after a number of weeks of large anti-government protests.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, from elite army unit CAPSAT, introduced the military was in charge of the nation and would set up a committee composed of military and police brass to manipulate. He stated they’d then arrange a civilian authorities “rapidly.”‘
His assertion got here simply minutes after members of parliament had voted to question President Andry Rajoelina for abandoning his submit after he fled the nation over the weekend. On Monday Rajoelina broadcast an tackle on social media saying he was in hiding in an undisclosed location.
The impeachment vote — which garnered 130 “sure” votes and one clean poll — went forward although Rajoelina took steps the identical day to forestall it by dissolving the decrease home of parliament.
This seize taken from video launched on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, reveals Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina giving a speech from an unknown location after an obvious coup try pressured him into hiding.
Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar/Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar
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Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar/Presidency Of The Republic Of Madagascar
After the military’s announcement they’d taken management a press release posted to the official Fb web page of the Madagascan presidency denounced what it known as “a coup d’etat” and insisted Rajoelina remained in cost.
“Gen Z” protests
Madagascar’s youth took to the streets of the capital Antananarivo in so-called “Gen Z” protests final month demanding Rajoelina resign, amid anger over the water and electrical energy shortages crippling the nation. NPR spoke to protesters who stated they hadn’t had water out the faucets for six years, regardless of nonetheless paying for it.
Over the weekend, the CAPSAT army unit introduced they’d sided with the protesters and wouldn’t transfer to quash any demonstrators, calling them “our brothers, our sisters.”
Rajoelina then fled, reportedly in a French aircraft although that’s unconfirmed, whereas a few of his officers are believed to have escaped to Mauritius.
The previous French colony within the Indian Ocean off the coast of east Africa isn’t any stranger to rebellions. Rajoelina himself first got here to energy in a 2009 coup — with the assistance of the identical army unit that has simply unseated him — however later ran for election twice and received.
Madagascans have since soured on the 51-year-old chief nevertheless, blaming his authorities for poor service supply and corruption within the impoverished nation of some 31 million folks.
The newborn-faced president tried to appease the demonstrators by sacking his authorities, however they continued to demand he resign himself. The United Nations says greater than 20 folks had been killed through the protests and that authorities had used lethal pressure.
Troops loyal to CAPSAT army unit commander Col. Michael Randrianirina make their approach to the Presidency to announce that the armed forces are taking management of the nation in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Brian Inganga/AP
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Brian Inganga/AP
The military seems at pains to make sure that the takeover not be seen as a coup, and a number of the Madagascans who’ve been protesting stated they welcomed the army intervention that has removed Rajoelina.
“The military is the one impartial establishment that may get us again on observe,” Sariaka, one of many protesters, informed NPR. Requested if she’d name it a coup d’etat, she stated: “to me it is a fashionable revolution supported by a army unit.”
Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical pupil, felt the identical.”We’re all deeply relieved and even thrilled by his removing from workplace,” he stated. “We’re not oppressed any extra.”
Requested if he wasn’t involved in regards to the army seizing energy Fanilo stated: “not likely as a result of the present army management is in excellent palms … particularly as they plan handy again energy to a civilian authorities afterwards.”
