A wave of political tension has swept across Madagascar, as reports indicate that a possible coup d’état is underway.
According to multiple local sources, President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly fled the capital city, Antananarivo, following rising unrest and growing pressure from both civilians and sections of the military.
The development follows weeks of continuous demonstrations led primarily by the youth, who have taken to the streets since late September to protest severe water and electricity shortages that have crippled daily life in several parts of the country.
The Spark That Ignited the Uprising
For many young people in Madagascar, frustration has been building for months. Power outages lasting several hours each day, combined with chronic water shortages, have made life extremely difficult. Businesses have suffered, schools have been disrupted, and families have struggled to meet basic needs.
What began as peaceful demonstrations soon spread across major towns, growing into a nationwide movement demanding government accountability and immediate solutions to the crisis.
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As protests intensified, parts of the Madagascar Army reportedly began showing sympathy toward the demonstrators, with soldiers seen protecting crowds rather than dispersing them. This shift in tone hinted that a deeper rift was forming within the ranks of the military.
Colonel Mickaël Randrianirina Leads the Movement
At the center of this unfolding drama is Colonel Mickaël Randrianirina, a respected officer from the CAPSAT (Corps d’Administration et des Services de l’Armée de Terre) a key administrative and logistics branch of the Malagasy Army.
Colonel Randrianirina is said to have mobilized sections of the army to take control of certain government installations in the capital. According to his own words, this move is not politically motivated, but rather a patriotic response to the cries of ordinary citizens.
In a statement broadcast on local media, the colonel explained:
🎙️ “We did not wake up to fight but rather to answer the call of the citizens. This is not politics, but pure patriotism.”
He further emphasized that the army’s loyalty remains to the people, not to political power.
🎙️ “We are open for dialogue. Discipline remains within the ranks, but our mission now is to support and stand with the people.”
These statements have been widely circulated across social media, where many Malagasy citizens have expressed both relief and cautious optimism, seeing the military’s move as a chance for change in a nation long plagued by political instability and economic hardship.
A Country in Uncertain Times
As of this morning, the situation in Antananarivo remains tense but relatively calm. Soldiers have been spotted patrolling key government buildings, while most citizens have chosen to remain indoors amid uncertainty over what might happen next.
No official statement has yet been released by the Office of the President, and the whereabouts of President Rajoelina remain unclear. Some unverified reports claim he may have fled to a neighboring country for safety.
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Analysts suggest that this could mark a critical turning point for Madagascar, a nation that has experienced several coups and attempted takeovers in its modern history including a major one in 2009 that saw Rajoelina himself rise to power as a transitional leader.
Voices from the Ground
Many citizens, particularly the youth, have expressed support for the army’s intervention. “We’ve been living without electricity for days, sometimes weeks. The government stopped listening to us long ago,” said Ravaka, a 27-year-old university student who joined the protests in late September.
Others, however, are worried that another military-led movement could plunge the country into deeper instability. “We need solutions, not another coup,” said Jean Claude, a shop owner in the capital. “We want peace and progress not politics and promises.”
At this point, it’s still unclear whether the army’s move will evolve into a full-scale takeover of government authority, or if it will pave the way for negotiations between military leaders and civilian representatives.
Colonel Randrianirina’s call for dialogue suggests that the military may seek a transitional solution rather than an outright seizure of power. Still, with communication networks fluctuating and uncertainty hanging over the country, citizens and observers alike are waiting anxiously for what comes next.
Regional bodies such as the African Union and SADC (Southern African Development Community) are expected to issue statements urging calm and calling for constitutional order to be maintained.
For now, Madagascar stands at a crossroads. What began as youth-led protests over basic human needs which is water and electricity has grown into a national movement calling for justice and reform.
As the army steps in claiming to act out of “love for country,” the world watches closely to see whether this will lead to renewal or further unrest.
One thing is clear: the voices of ordinary Malagasy citizens have finally shaken the walls of power, and the story of their struggle is still being written.
