Madagascar's President Warns of Illegal Power Grab by Military
In a statement released on Sunday morning, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina warned of an ongoing attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the constitution and democratic principles. This comes as an elite military unit, the Capsat unit, which brought Rajoelina to power in a coup in 2009, joined protesters on the streets on Saturday and announced it was taking over the army.
The intervention of the Capsat unit follows weeks of youth-led protests, which began on September 25th against water and electricity shortages and expanded to call for the resignation of the president, an end to corruption, and a radical overhaul of the political system.
Rajoelina stated that he was managing national affairs, and the newly appointed prime minister, Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo, expressed the government's readiness to engage in dialogue with all factions, including the military.
However, the Capsat unit's actions have raised concerns among some young activists, who have labeled the soldiers and opposition politicians who joined them 'dangerous'. The unit's involvement comes amidst a backdrop of political instability and economic challenges, with Madagascar being one of the world's poorest countries, ranked 140 out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2024 corruption perceptions index.
The protests, initially coordinated by Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless group inspired by similar movements in Indonesia and Nepal, have seen thousands of protesters demanding Rajoelina's resignation and an end to corruption. The situation remains tense, with the military's role in the protests and the potential for further political upheaval in the country.
