Madagascar was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday as the army announced it had taken control of the country following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina, who left amid escalating nationwide protests.
Lawmakers voted to remove Rajoelina after weeks of demonstrations led by young people and growing defections within the armed forces, leaving the nation in political uncertainty.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, speaking to the nation over radio, stated, "We have taken the power," and explained that the military would dissolve all major institutions except the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. He added that a military-led transitional administration would manage affairs for up to two years before organizing elections to restore civilian leadership.
A statement from the military listed the bodies being suspended, including the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the High Court of Justice, and the High Council for the Defense of Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
Earlier, Rajoelina attempted to dissolve the lower house of parliament, but lawmakers proceeded with his impeachment, creating a vacuum the military moved to fill.
Rajoelina, who initially came to power in a 2009 coup, condemned the military’s actions.
After citing threats to his life, he relocated to a secure location, and sources revealed he had left Madagascar on a French military aircraft over the weekend. Even members of his parliamentary coalition voted to remove him, accusing him of acting in ways that violated presidential duties.
The protests, which started on September 25 over shortages of water and electricity, quickly grew into mass demonstrations addressing broader issues such as corruption, mismanagement, and lack of public services.
At Antananarivo’s 13 May Square, thousands of demonstrators waved national flags and the distinctive skull-and-crossbones banner, expressing discontent with Rajoelina’s dual citizenship and perceived loyalty to France.
During the protests, Randrianirina addressed the crowd, asking, "Are you ready to accept a military takeover?" to which the audience responded with cheers.
While some celebrated the president’s departure, others cautioned that civilian authority and elections should be restored quickly. High-school student Fih Nomensanahary said, "We’re so happy Andry Rajoelina is finally gone ... We will start again," while IT consultant Rezafy Lova stressed, "They need to hand over to a civilian administration quickly and have an election."
The CAPSAT elite army unit, central to Rajoelina’s 2009 rise, refused to fire on protesters and assumed control, appointing a new army chief. Police and paramilitary forces also broke from the president, solidifying military authority.
Madagascar, with a population of roughly 30 million and a median age under 20, struggles with poverty, with three-quarters of citizens living in hardship. Between independence in 1960 and 2020, GDP per capita fell by 45%, according to World Bank data, fueling frustration over basic needs and governance failures.