Wayne Lumbasi
Madagascar has plunged into a new era of uncertainty after the military announced it had taken control of the government, following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina amid weeks of protests and political turmoil.
The declaration marks a dramatic turning point in one of Africa’s most volatile democracies and comes just days after Rajoelina fled the country, citing threats to his safety.
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The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to impeach President Rajoelina on charges of deserting his duties after he attempted to dissolve Parliament by decree. Lawmakers rejected his order, triggering a standoff that left the government paralyzed. As tensions grew, Rajoelina reportedly fled Madagascar, leaving a power vacuum that the military swiftly moved to fill.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT military unit, announced on national television that the armed forces had assumed control of the state. In his statement, he declared the dissolution of most national institutions, including the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, and the electoral commission, while retaining the National Assembly as a provisional legislative body. Randrianirina said the military had acted “in the interest of national unity and stability” and promised a two-year transitional period to restore order and prepare for new elections.
In the streets of Antananarivo, crowds celebrated the military’s announcement, chanting slogans calling for reform and justice. However, many citizens remain cautious, wary of a prolonged military rule. Civil society leaders have urged the new authorities to keep their word and ensure that power is eventually handed back to civilians through credible elections and a transparent constitutional process.
From exile, Rajoelina denounced the military’s actions as an “illegal seizure of power” and insisted he remains Madagascar’s legitimate head of state. His allies have questioned the legality of the impeachment process and accused the armed forces of violating the constitution. International observers, including the African Union and the United Nations, have expressed concern over the suspension of democratic institutions and called for restraint, dialogue, and a swift return to constitutional order.
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