Madagascar’s armed forces announce they have taken control as the president relocates to a ‘secure location’

A premier military faction has announced its takeover of Madagascar, removing President Andry Rajoelina after weeks of demonstrations led by the youth on the island nation.

Speaking from the presidential palace on Tuesday, CAPSAT leader Col Michael Randrianirina stated that the military intends to establish a government and organize elections within a two-year timeframe. He also halted crucial democratic structures, such as the electoral commission.

Young Generation Z activists will influence the forthcoming changes as “the movement emerged from the streets, hence honoring their requests is imperative,” he remarked.

Military personnel and demonstrators celebrated what seems to be President Rajoelina’s removal, with thousands waving flags in Antananarivo, the capital.

CAPSAT, the Corps for Personnel Administration and Technical and Administrative Services, stands as the dominant military force in Madagascar.

This unit backed Rajoelina during his rise to power in 2009 but sided with the protestors on Saturday.

Though Madagascar’s constitutional court has appointed Col Randrianirina as the new leader of the country, the president’s office issued a statement claiming Rajoelina remained in command and denounced the actions as an “attempted coup d’etat”.

The location of Rajoelina is currently unclear, yet he has mentioned he is hiding in a “secure location” due to an alleged life-threatening situation posed by “military officials and politicians”. CAPSAT has refuted any involvement in such an incident.

There are unverified reports suggesting that the president was evacuated from the nation via a French military aircraft.

On the same day, the US State Department called on all parties involved to “seek a peaceful resolution consistent with the constitutional framework”.

Col Randrianirina expressed to the BBC that Madagascar is “a nation engulfed in chaos currently.”

“Chaos arising from the absence of a president – he has fled abroad.”

The disorder commenced just over two weeks ago, following a youth-led initiative that began complaining about persistent water and electricity outages nationwide.

The protests quickly intensified, highlighting broader grievances with Rajoelina’s administration regarding high unemployment, extensive corruption, and the escalating cost-of-living issues.

Demonstrators faced off against security forces leading to at least 22 fatalities and over 100 injuries, as reported by the UN, although the Malagasy government has minimized these figures, labeling them as based on “rumors and misinformation”.

President Rajoelina, formerly a businessman and DJ, was initially viewed as a promising change for Madagascar.

The youthful leader was elected president at 34, claiming the distinction of Africa’s youngest leader, subsequently governing for four years before regaining power post-2018 elections.

However, he became increasingly unpopular following accusations of favoritism and corruption, which he has denied.

Despite the apparent loss of power, he has remained involved in efforts to sway situations.

Rajoelina attempted to dissolve parliament before the opposition could initiate a vote to remove him from office for neglecting his duties, yet this was unsuccessful.

On Tuesday, lawmakers voted to impeach Rajoelina with 130 supporting votes to one blank ballot. Notably, even representatives from his own party, Irmar, endorsed the decision.

Rajoelina dismissed the impeachment vote, branding it as “null and void”.

The African Union (AU) cautioned against military intervention in Madagascar’s politics and rejected “any endeavor aimed at unconstitutional governmental changes”.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his concerns regarding the situation as “deeply troubling”.

The island nation has experienced several political disturbances in recent years.

Madagascar remains one of the world’s least affluent countries, with approximately 75% of its 30 million inhabitants living beneath the poverty threshold, as reported by the World Bank.