Madagascar is once again in the throes of political crisis. A recent military coup has forced the now-ousted President Andry Rajoelina to escape Madagascar. The African Union wasted no time in condemning this catastrophic action, suspending Madagascar from membership of the Union. Civil War era decision, warning of the risk to the nation’s very existence. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the commander of the elite CAPSAT army unit, is to be sworn in as the new leader on Friday. This represents a major new direction in government policy for the island nation.
The coup came after weeks of escalating protests in Madagascar. These protests, now referred to as the “Gen-Z” protests, were sparked by an increase in power and water shortages. The immediate result was military takeover and forced evacuation of Rajoelina, who fled on Sunday in a French military jet. Then, having fled the country, Rajoelina went silent on his possible return to Madagascar.
Colonel Randrianirina’s ascent follows a trend of successful military coups in other former French colonies. This trend has been occurring across the region since 2020. The military then dissolved all institutions including the National Assembly, which Rajoelina had ordered dissolved long before as part of the initial coup attempt. This signals a profound reshaping of Madagascar’s political terrain.
The African Union is calling for a restoration of civilian-led governance and the holding of elections. They reaffirm the importance of regional stability. A new military-led committee will assume control of governing Madagascar for up to two years. They’d work together with a transitional government to prepare new elections.
“Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as the President for the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar during a formal hearing,” – announcement from the military.
Randrianirina urged soldiers during last week’s protests not to fire upon demonstrators, indicating a cautious approach to maintaining order amid civil unrest. The coup and resulting military interventions have raised alarm about human rights violations and the erosion of Madagascar’s democratic institutions.
Andry Rajoelina, in his last statements before fleeing, had indicated that “explicit and extremely serious threats were made against the life of the Head of State.” The further significance of this is to underscore the high-stakes context that leaders in Madagascar must constantly navigate, where instability has become endemic.
