Madagascar in Crisis as Army Unit Claims Control, President Alleges Coup Attempt
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – October 13, 2025 – Madagascar is facing its gravest political crisis in years after a renegade elite army unit claimed control of the nation’s military, prompting President Andry Rajoelina to denounce an “attempt to seize power illegally and by force” .
The dramatic escalation unfolded over the weekend, rooted in weeks of youth-led anti-government protests and culminating in a stunning reversal for the president, who was originally brought to power with the help of the same military unit that has now turned against him.
Military Defection Sparks Crisis
The crisis reached a tipping point on Saturday when the Army Personnel Administration Centre (CAPSAT), an elite administrative and technical unit, publicly sided with the protesters . In a video statement on Sunday, officers from the contingent declared, “From now on, all orders of the Malagasy army – whether land, air or [naval] – will originate from CAPSAT headquarters” .
To solidify their move, CAPSAT installed General Demosthene Pikulas as the new military chief during a ceremony at the army headquarters, an event notably attended by Armed Forces Minister Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo, who gave the general his “blessing” . Following the ceremony, General Pikulas acknowledged the “unpredictable” events and stated that the army had a responsibility to “restore calm and peace throughout Madagascar,” while refusing to discuss politics .
The presidency responded with a statement confirming that an “attempted illegal and forcible seizure of power” was underway, condemning the action as contrary to the constitution and democratic principles . The statement assured the nation that President Rajoelina remains “in the country” and “continues to manage national affairs” .
From Utility Protests to Demand for Regime Change
The current turmoil began on September 25 with youth-led rallies against chronic water and electricity shortages . In a nation where only about one-third of the population has access to electricity and blackouts are routine, the protests quickly swelled into a broader movement demanding an end to corruption and the resignation of President Rajoelina .
Organized under the banner Gen Z Madagascar, the leaderless protest movement has drawn inspiration from similar youth-led uprisings in Nepal and Sri Lanka . The movement has adopted a pirate skull-and-crossbones image from the anime series One Piece, personalized with a traditional Madagascan hat, as its symbol .
The protests have turned deadly. The United Nations reports that at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the demonstrations began, a figure the government disputes, claiming only 12 “looters and vandals” died .
A Fractured State and Historical Echoes
The situation on the ground reflects a fractured state. The CAPSAT unit, which played a major role in the 2009 coup that first brought Rajoelina to power, has a complicated history . On Saturday, its soldiers urged their comrades to stop following orders and not to fire on protesters . They subsequently escorted thousands of demonstrators into the symbolic May 13 Square in Antananarivo, a focal point of past uprisings that had been sealed off by security forces .
Meanwhile, the gendarmerie, which has been accused of using heavy-handed tactics against protesters, released its own video statement recognizing “faults and excesses during our interventions” and calling for “fraternity” between security forces .
The following table outlines the key factions involved in the current crisis and their stated positions:
Faction Role/Description Stated Position in the Crisis
CAPSAT Army Unit Elite military unit; key actor in 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. Claims command of all armed forces; installed new army chief; joined protesters; refuses to fire on civilians.
President Rajoelina Incumbent President; facing gravest threat to his authority since re-election in 2023. Denounces “illegal seizure of power”; calls for dialogue and defense of constitutional order; remains in the country.
Gen Z Madagascar Youth-led, leaderless protest movement organized online. Demands Rajoelina’s resignation, an apology for violence, and dissolution of Senate; rejects government dialogue offers.
Gendarmerie National police force under defense ministry; accused of crackdown on protesters. Recognizes “faults and excesses”; states orders come solely from its own command center.
International Concern and Domestic Stalemate
The international community has expressed deep concern. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called for calm and restraint and welcomed the government’s commitment to dialogue . The practical impacts of the crisis are already being felt, with Air France suspending flights to Antananarivo until at least October 13 due to the security situation .
Domestically, a political solution remains elusive. Newly appointed Prime Minister Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo, a military general appointed after Rajoelina dismissed his predecessor, said the government was “fully ready to listen and engage in dialogue with all factions” . However, the Gen Z Madagascar movement has outright rejected talks, stating, “We do not reach out to a regime that every day crushes those who stand up for justice” .
As the standoff continues, the people of Madagascar, 75% of whom live below the poverty line, face an uncertain future, caught between a government clinging to power and a protest movement demanding radical change .
