Madagascar’s President Says Coup Attempt Underway As Soldiers Join Protests

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ANTANANARIVO (Worthy News) – Madagascar’s president said Sunday that an attempted coup was underway as troops joined youth-led protests that have rocked the African island nation for nearly three weeks, leaving numerous people dead.

In a statement, President Andry Rajoelina’s office said “an attempted illegal and forcible seizure of power” was underway, adding that the president had urged “dialogue to resolve the crisis.”

Rajoelina’s office said earlier he and the prime minister were “fully in control of the nation’s affairs.” Yet his whereabouts remained unknown on Sunday, with several Malagasy citizens believing he had already left the country.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, denied that a coup had taken place.

However, the unit also claimed to have taken control of Madagascar’s armed forces and announced that it had installed General Demosthene Pikulas as the new head of the military, deepening confusion about who is actually in charge.

“We responded to the people’s call,” Randrianirina told reporters. Pikulas, who appeared alongside him, declined to say whether they had demanded Rajoelina’s resignation, though the CAPSAT force seemed to hold significant authority in the capital.

WATER SHORTAGES

The unrest began on September 25, when thousands of young people took to the streets of Antananarivo, frustrated by severe water and electricity shortages, high unemployment, and widespread allegations of corruption.

The movement—organized mainly through social media under the “Gen Z Madagascar” banner—quickly evolved into a broader demand for government accountability and leadership change.

Rajoelina, who first seized power during a 2009 military-backed uprising and later returned to office through elections, has faced growing anger over what critics call mismanagement and rising poverty.

The protests have since become the most significant unrest in years, leaving at least 22 people dead and dozens injured, according to Gen Z Madagascar activists and the United Nations.

The government has disputed that death toll, but independent footage and eyewitnesses confirm violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

Madagascar, an island nation of roughly 30 million people, has a deeply religious population—about 85 percent identify as Christian, split between Roman Catholics and Protestants.

Church leaders have urged calm and called for peaceful dialogue, warning that further violence could push the country—already struggling with poverty and political instability—into deeper turmoil.

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