Madagascar President Rajoelina Warns Against Coup as Elite Army Unit Joins Protests
Madagascar’s political crisis deepened over the weekend as an elite military unit joined nationwide protests against President Andry Rajoelina, prompting the president to warn against an “illegal attempt to seize power.”
The protests, which began two weeks ago, were sparked by severe power cuts, water shortages, unemployment, poverty, and corruption. What started as youth-led demonstrations has escalated into a national crisis, with at least 23 people killed and over 100 injured so far.
On Saturday, soldiers from the elite CAPSAT unit—the same group that helped Rajoelina seize power in a 2009 coup—defected and declared their support for the demonstrators demanding his resignation. The mutinying troops called on fellow soldiers to disobey government orders and “stand with the people.”
In a dramatic twist, the Armed Forces Minister, Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo, formally recognized General Demosthene Pikulas, the officer chosen by the CAPSAT unit, as the new Chief of Army Staff. The ceremony, held at the army headquarters, marked what analysts described as a turning point in the standoff.
“I give him my blessing,” the minister said, acknowledging Pikulas’s appointment.
Political observers warn that this move could further divide the military and destabilize Madagascar, a country already struggling with economic hardship and social unrest.
In response, the Presidency of Madagascar issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it described as an attempted coup.
“An attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and democratic principles, is currently underway,” the statement read.
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President Rajoelina expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the unrest, urging citizens to resist efforts to divide the nation.
“The Malagasy people are one indivisible whole and must resist attempts to disrupt and divide that threaten the progress of Madagascar,” the president declared.
“Dialogue remains the only solution to the crisis the country is currently going through.”
While security forces have so far avoided large-scale crackdowns, the military defection represents the most serious challenge to Rajoelina’s rule since his reelection in 2023. The president’s past involvement in a coup has not gone unnoticed by critics, with many on social media accusing him of hypocrisy.
On forums and social platforms, users from across Africa reacted with a mix of admiration and cynicism. Some praised the Malagasy military’s “patriotism,” while others warned that a coup could plunge the country into chaos.
One user wrote:
“Coup brought you to power, now a coup is sending you out of power. Karma is a b****.”
Another commented:
“Honestly, it feels like if a coup happened in Nigeria right now, a lot of people would probably celebrate it.”
Amid rising tensions, regional observers have urged the African Union and international partners to intervene diplomatically before the situation spirals out of control.
As of Sunday night, protesters continued to occupy parts of Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, demanding Rajoelina’s immediate resignation.
Whether the president can maintain control—or whether the island nation will once again fall under military rule—remains uncertain.