Madagascar presidency says attempt to seize power under way

[muriel_volestrangler]

The office of Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has said an attempt to seize power illegally and unconstitutionally is under way in the country.

Hours later, an army unit known as CAPSAT claimed that it had taken over the leadership of the military command, and was now in control of all the armed forces - land, air, and naval.

This is the same unit that played a crucial role in the 2009 Malagasy political crisis, which helped Rajoelina rise to power.

Madagascar was first hit by protests on 25 September against water and power cuts, but they have escalated to reflect wider dissatisfaction with Rajoelina's government over high unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd070pn4g07o

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Madagascar president reportedly flees after losing support of key army unit

Elite Capsat unit that played a major role in Andry Rajoelina’s rise to presidency joined gen Z protests against corruption

Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, is reported to have fled the country on a French military aircraft, hours before he was scheduled to address the people.

French state radio RFI reported on Monday that the president, who also has French citizenship, had been flown out of the capital, Antananarivo, after a deal with President Emmanuel Macron. It added that he may have headed for Dubai.

He had been due to speak to the nation at 7pm (1600 GMT), according to a statement from the presidency on Facebook.

Rajoelina, 51, was first president from 2009 to 2014 before returning to power in 2023. He was increasingly isolated after losing the support of a key army unit that joined thousands of youths activists known as “Gen Z Madagascar” to protest against corruption and poverty. The movement had earlier turned down an invitation to meet him for dialogue and demanded his resignation.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/13/madagascar-president-andry-rajoelina-flees-country-capsat

Soldiers threaten to seize state TV in Madagascar, presidency says, amid warnings of coup attempt
Soldiers have threatened to seize the state TV headquarters in Madagascar as President Andry Rajoelina was due to address the nation, his office says, amid unconfirmed reports that he has fled the country.
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His failed attempts to placate young protesters - dubbed "Gen Z Mada" - saw him sack his entire government and make other concessions to no avail.
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Following a meeting of military commanders on Monday, the new Chief of Army Staff installed by CAPSAT, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, assured the public that the security forces were working together to maintain order in the island nation.
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Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior leader in Madagascar's largest opposition party told the BBC that Madagascar was now effectively being run by CAPSAT.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgkzyek0jxro