The office of Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has reported an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to seize power in the country.
Just hours following this announcement, the CAPSAT (the army unit) declared it had assumed leadership of the military command and now controls the armed forces across all domains—land, air, and naval.
This military faction was pivotal during the 2009 political upheaval that elevated Rajoelina to power.
Protests that initially erupted on September 25 over water and energy shortages have morphed into a broader dissent against Rajoelina’s administration, driven by rampant unemployment, corruption, and a rising cost of living.
Rajoelina's statement denounced the current power grabs as a direct violation of the nation's constitutional and democratic principles. He condemned these actions vehemently and called for national unity to uphold the constitutional order and sovereignty.
CAPSAT announced it had appointed a new chief of staff, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, via a Facebook statement.
Conflicting reports have emerged, including a shootout at a CAPSAT camp following a visit from gendarmerie officials, with no further details disclosed.
Reports indicate that some soldiers left their posts to join protesters outside the town hall in Antananarivo, highlighting divisions within the military.
CAPSAT criticized the recent use of force by the government's security forces during the protests in the capital.
Amid these tensions, the presidency attempted to reassure citizens that both Rajoelina and the newly appointed Prime Minister, also an army general, remain in control of the situation.
