A military commander who led a mutiny in Madagascar announced on Tuesday that the armed forces had taken control of the government, following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina and his departure from the country after weeks of youth-led protests.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, speaking on national radio, declared that the military was now in charge and had dissolved all government institutions except for the National Assembly.
“We have taken power,” he said, adding that a transitional committee led by the military would govern alongside a civilian administration for up to two years, after which elections would be held.
In a formal statement, the military confirmed the suspension of several key institutions, including the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, the Electoral Commission, the High Court of Justice, and the Human Rights Council.
The dramatic developments follow mounting unrest in the Indian Ocean island nation, sparked by protests over chronic water and power shortages that began on September 25.
The demonstrations, largely led by Generation Z, quickly evolved into a broader uprising against corruption, mismanagement, and deteriorating public services.
President Rajoelina, 51, had resisted calls to resign, even as members of his own ruling coalition in the National Assembly voted to impeach him.
His attempt to dissolve the Assembly by decree earlier in the day failed, leading to a political crisis that the military exploited to seize control.
Rajoelina, who first rose to power in a 2009 coup, condemned the military takeover in a statement.
He had reportedly fled the country on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft, citing threats to his life.
According to a military source, an opposition figure, and a foreign diplomat, his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Colonel Randrianirina, who commands the elite CAPSAT army unit instrumental in Rajoelina’s 2009 rise, had turned against the president last week.
Addressing a massive crowd in Antananarivo’s iconic 13 May Square on Tuesday, he asked: “Are you ready to accept a military takeover?” The crowd responded with loud cheers.
Thousands of demonstrators, many waving Malagasy flags and the skull-and-crossbones banners inspired by the anime One Piece, celebrated the announcement.
“We’re so happy Andry Rajoelina is finally gone … We will start again,” said Fih Nomensanahary, a high school student, flanked by cheering friends.
Others urged caution. “They need to hand over to a civilian administration quickly and organize elections,” said Rezafy Lova, a 68-year-old IT consultant.
Over the weekend, the CAPSAT unit declared it would not fire on protesters and later assumed control of the military, appointing a new army chief.
The police and paramilitary gendarmerie also abandoned Rajoelina’s government, further isolating the president.
Rajoelina had recently warned of an attempted coup, but his warnings were ultimately overtaken by events on the ground.
Madagascar, a nation of 30 million people where nearly 75% live in poverty and the average age is under 20, has struggled with political instability for decades.
Since gaining independence in 1960, its GDP per capita has declined by 45%, according to the World Bank.
The military says it will oversee a transition, but many in the country remain wary of prolonged military rule and are calling for swift elections to restore democratic governance.
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