Antananarivo, Madagascar — A dramatic shift unfolded in Madagascar over the weekend, as a mutinied army unit declared it was taking control of the nation’s military forces, escalating a weeks-long crisis that began with protests over basic services but has since spiraled into a full-blown political standoff. President Andry Rajoelina, whose own rise to power in 2009 was shaped by military intervention, now faces a challenge from within the armed forces that threatens to upend the country’s fragile democracy.
The CAPSAT contingent, a group of administrative and technical officers based in Soanierana on the outskirts of Antananarivo, announced on Sunday, October 12, 2025, that it would assume command of all branches of the Malagasy military. In a video statement, CAPSAT officers revealed, “From now on, all orders of the Malagasy army — whether land, air or the navy — will originate from CAPSAT headquarters.” They named General Demosthene Pikulas as the new head of the army, filling a post that had been vacant since the previous chief was appointed minister of armed forces the week prior, according to France24.
The move came after CAPSAT soldiers joined thousands of protesters in the capital on Saturday, in one of the largest demonstrations since the movement erupted on September 25. The protests were initially sparked by chronic power and water shortages, but they quickly grew into a broader call for President Rajoelina’s resignation. The CAPSAT unit, which played a pivotal role in the 2009 uprising that first brought Rajoelina to power, declared it would “refuse orders to shoot” at demonstrators, directly criticizing the gendarmerie for what it described as “heavy-handed tactics” that had resulted in several deaths, as reported by AFP and other outlets.
Saturday’s events saw CAPSAT soldiers clashing with gendarmes outside a barracks before riding into the city on army vehicles to join demonstrators, who greeted them with jubilation and chants demanding the president step down. The following day, a somber gathering and prayer service took place in the capital, honoring those killed during the unrest. Among the mourned was a CAPSAT soldier, reportedly shot by gendarmes in the previous day’s clashes.
President Rajoelina responded to the escalating situation with a statement posted on social media, warning, “An attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and to democratic principles, is currently under way.” He insisted that “dialogue is the only way forward and the only solution to the crisis currently facing the country,” and called for unity among all Malagasy citizens.
The presidency’s alarm was echoed by international observers. The African Union Commission expressed “deep concern” over the developments, urging all parties to exercise calm and restraint. Neighboring South Africa called on “all parties to respect the democratic process and constitutional order,” while Air France suspended its flights to Madagascar until at least Tuesday, reflecting the mounting uncertainty.
The gendarmerie, under fire for its role in the unrest, issued its own video statement on Sunday, acknowledging “faults and excesses during our interventions.” The officers called for “fraternity” between the army and the gendarmes, stating, “We are here to protect, not to terrorise,” and announced that “from now on, all orders will come solely” from the gendarmerie’s headquarters. This rare admission of wrongdoing was a notable attempt to defuse tensions, though it also signaled deep divisions within the country’s security forces.
As the demonstrations continued, the government scrambled to address protesters’ demands. Last month, in an attempt to quell the unrest, President Rajoelina dismissed his entire cabinet. However, the appointment of an army general as the new prime minister, Ruphin Zafisambo, sparked further controversy. Zafisambo tried to reassure the public, stating that the government was “standing strong” and “ready to collaborate and listen.” The government also took the significant step of removing Senate President Richard Ravalomanana, a former gendarmerie general, meeting a key protest demand led by the youth movement known as Gen Z.
The unrest has taken a deadly toll. The United Nations reported that at least 22 people were killed in the initial days of protests, some by security forces and others in violence attributed to criminal gangs and looters. President Rajoelina, however, disputed this figure, claiming there were “12 confirmed deaths and all of these individuals were looters and vandals.” Emergency services reported two more dead and 26 injured on Saturday, with the CAPSAT unit confirming the death of one of its soldiers at the hands of the gendarmerie.
Opposition political figures, including former President Marc Ravalomanana—who was ousted in the 2009 uprising—joined CAPSAT officers on stage during Sunday’s commemoration and prayers. A wreath was laid with the message, “For all the victims who died for the nation,” underscoring the somber mood and the sense of national crisis.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina of CAPSAT sought to clarify his unit’s intentions, telling reporters, “We answered the people’s calls, but it wasn’t a coup d’etat.” At the same time, General Pikulas, newly installed as army chief, told journalists, “The army has a responsibility to restore calm and peace throughout Madagascar,” while refusing to discuss politics within the military facility.
Madagascar’s political history has been turbulent since its independence from France in 1960, with repeated cycles of popular protest and military intervention. Despite its wealth in natural resources, nearly three-quarters of the country’s 32 million people lived below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank. This latest crisis, rooted in everyday frustrations over electricity and water but fueled by deeper grievances about governance and inequality, is the most significant challenge to Rajoelina’s authority since his re-election in 2023.
Rumors swirled over the weekend that Rajoelina had fled the country, but the government insisted he remained in Madagascar and was managing national affairs. Meanwhile, neighboring Mauritius confirmed that ex-prime minister Christian Ntsay and businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga, a close adviser to Rajoelina, had arrived on a private flight early Sunday, adding another twist to the unfolding drama.
As the world watches closely, the future of Madagascar hangs in the balance. The coming days will test whether dialogue and compromise can prevail over force and division—or whether the island nation is headed for another period of instability and uncertainty.
