Antananarivo: Madagascar's Army Personnel Administration Center (CAPSAT), a military unit, announced on Tuesday that it has suspended the Constitution and seized power following the parliament's motion to impeach President Andry Rajoelina. This decisive move was reported by an Anadolu correspondent.
According to Anadolu Agency, the CAPSAT elements, under the leadership of Col. Michael Randrianirina, entered the Ambohitsorohitra presidential palace in the capital Antananarivo and declared their takeover. Col. Randrianirina stated, "By Ordinance 2025-001, we have decided to suspend the Constitution adopted on Dec. 11, 2010, and to establish new structures for national renovation." This move marks the beginning of a two-year transition period, during which a referendum will be held for the establishment of a new constitution.
In this upheaval, five key institutions, including the High Constitutional Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Senate, the High Council for the Defense of Human Rights, and the High Court of Justice, have been suspended. However, the National Assembly will remain active. The military has announced that the country's presidency will be jointly managed by its officers.
Earlier, President Rajoelina dissolved parliament amidst weeks of anti-government protests, citing the need to restore order and create opportunities for the youth. Despite his actions, the parliament convened and successfully passed a motion to impeach him. The protests, which began on September 25, were led by youth and were fueled by severe water and electricity shortages and allegations of corruption, quickly escalating to demands for Rajoelina's resignation.
In response to the growing unrest, the government underwent several reorganizations, including the dissolution of the Cabinet and the appointment of a new prime minister and security chiefs. On Monday, Rajoelina announced he was in a "safe space" following an alleged attempt on his life. Reports suggest he was evacuated to France on a military plane after a "deal" with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron, however, did not confirm these reports, expressing only his concern from Egypt.
The CAPSAT, pivotal in Rajoelina's rise to power during the 2009 coup, had previously declared its support for the protests on Saturday. This support was condemned by Rajoelina, who described it as "an attempt to seize power illegally," just hours before the unit appointed a new military chief.