The African Union (AU) announced on Wednesday the immediate suspension of Madagascar from its membership following a military coup that saw Colonel Michael Randrianirina and the elite CAPSAT unit seize power after President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment. The move, which plunged the impoverished Indian Ocean nation into its worst political crisis in years, drew sharp condemnation from the United Nations, which labeled it an “unconstitutional change of power.”
Military Takeover Follows Impeachment
The crisis erupted after weeks of youth-led protests over chronic water and electricity shortages, culminating in parliament’s vote on Tuesday to impeach Rajoelina, who has led Madagascar since 2009. Moments after the vote, the CAPSAT unit, led by Colonel Randrianirina, assumed control, declaring him transitional president. Madagascar’s Constitutional Court confirmed Randrianirina’s appointment, scheduling his swearing-in for a “solemn hearing” on Friday.
“This was not a coup but an act of responsibility to save a nation on the brink of collapse,” Randrianirina stated in a televised address on Wednesday. He promised elections within 18 to 24 months and announced plans to appoint a prime minister and restructure key institutions under a “Presidential Council for the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar,” as outlined in a statement signed by the colonel.
International Alarm and Regional Context
The AU, through Commission Chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, told AFP that Madagascar’s suspension was effective immediately, reflecting the bloc’s firm stance against unconstitutional changes. The United Nations expressed “deep concern” over the takeover, urging respect for democratic processes. Madagascar joins a string of former French colonies—Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea—that have faced military coups since 2020, highlighting a troubling trend in the region.
Rajoelina’s administration, in a statement issued Wednesday, denounced the Constitutional Court’s decision as “illegal, irregular, and unconstitutional,” citing procedural flaws. Reports suggest Rajoelina, 51, fled the country amid escalating protests, possibly with French assistance, and is now in a “safe place” to protect his life, though his exact location remains unknown.
Roots of the Crisis: Gen Z Protests
The unrest began on September 25, 2025, when Madagascar’s Gen Z movement launched nationwide protests over severe water and energy shortages, with blackouts lasting up to 12 hours daily. Inspired by youth-led uprisings in Kenya and Nepal, thousands took to the streets in Antananarivo and eight other cities, demanding systemic change and Rajoelina’s resignation. Clashes with security forces left at least 22 dead and over 100 injured, according to UN reports, though the government disputes these figures.
The protests, centered on symbolic sites like Place du 13 Mai and Democracy Square, echoed Rajoelina’s own 2009 rise to power through a military-backed coup. The CAPSAT unit, once loyal to Rajoelina, defected to join protesters, tipping the balance against him. “We’re ready to talk to the youth and answer their call,” Randrianirina said, earning cautious support from the Gen Z movement, which welcomed his intervention as a “first victory” but reiterated demands for reform.
Voices from the Ground
In Antananarivo, the capital remained calm on Wednesday, with a concert held at Place du 13 Mai, where protests had raged days earlier. Fenitra Razafindramanga, 26, captain of Madagascar’s national rugby team, told AFP, “We’re hopeful but wary of what’s next. This moment gives us a chance for change.” In Antsiranana, entrepreneur Muriella expressed relief at Rajoelina’s ousting, saying, “It’s like freedom after prison. The next leader must listen and avoid these mistakes.”
Rajoelina’s Controversial Legacy
Rajoelina, a former DJ and mayor, first seized power in a 2009 coup, ousting President Marc Ravalomanana. He stepped down in 2014 but won elections in 2018 and 2023, both marred by allegations of fraud. His tenure has been marked by economic struggles, frequent cyclones, and persistent poverty in Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest nations. In recent weeks, Rajoelina resisted calls to resign, claiming in a Monday address from an undisclosed location that he was seeking solutions to the crisis.
Uncertain Future
Randrianirina, a known critic of Rajoelina who was jailed in 2023 for allegedly plotting a coup, now faces the challenge of stabilizing Madagascar. His promise of elections and institutional reform has met skepticism, with experts questioning the feasibility of polls amid ongoing tensions. The opposition is exploring legal challenges to the coup, while the AU and UN call for dialogue to prevent further unrest.
As Madagascar navigates this upheaval, the international community watches closely, wary of further instability in a nation with a history of political volatility since its independence from France in 1960.
