Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
Antananarivo, Madagascar — October 14, 2025: The political crisis in Madagascar took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after members of an elite military unit announced that they had seized control of the government, following a parliamentary vote to impeach President Andry Rajoelina.
The head of the elite CAPSAT military unit, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, declared the takeover in a live broadcast on national radio, stating plainly: “We have taken power.” The announcement came just hours after the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to remove President Rajoelina from office — a move that was supported even by lawmakers from his own political party, IRMAR.
The military intervention marks the culmination of weeks of mounting tension in the island nation, where protesters have been calling for Rajoelina’s resignation over allegations of corruption, economic hardship, and what critics describe as authoritarian leadership.
According to reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse (AFP), the CAPSAT unit — a well-trained segment of Madagascar’s armed forces — had already shown signs of defying presidential orders over the weekend. In a surprise shift, the unit joined demonstrations in the capital, lending significant momentum to the opposition movement.
Colonel Randrianirina’s statement signals what observers are calling a de facto military coup. The colonel, speaking on behalf of the armed forces, emphasized that the intervention was in response to “the will of the people” and aimed at restoring national stability. However, details about the next steps in governance remain unclear.
As of this report, President Rajoelina’s whereabouts and immediate response have not been made public. Regional leaders and international observers are monitoring the situation closely, with concerns rising over potential unrest or a prolonged power vacuum.
The takeover underscores the fragile state of democracy in Madagascar, which has experienced multiple military interventions since gaining independence from France in 1960. Analysts say the current crisis could once again isolate the country from international partners and donors if constitutional order is not quickly restored.
Stone Reporters News will continue to follow developments as the situation unfolds in Antananarivo and across Madagascar.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com | ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments