Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has bolted from the island nation as a military coup attempt and fiery street protests threaten to upend his rule.
The Daily Caller reported that the chaos in Madagascar boiled over on Monday, when Rajoelina fled the country, leaving behind a fractured government, a rogue elite army unit, and a youth-led movement demanding his ouster over blackouts, water shortages, and corruption claims.
Trouble started brewing in late September 2025, when frustrated citizens, spearheaded by a Gen-Z crowd, took to the streets in daily rallies.
Their grievances—power cuts, scarce water, and whispers of government misconduct—weren’t just whispers anymore; they became roars. It’s a classic case of a fed-up populace refusing to swallow more empty promises.
By the weekend before October 13, the situation escalated as soldiers from CAPSAT, a powerhouse in Malagasy politics, threw their weight behind the protesters. These elite troops didn’t just sympathize—they openly demanded Rajoelina step down. If that’s not a gut punch to a sitting leader, what is?
CAPSAT’s defiance sent shockwaves through the security forces, toppling the army chief and splitting loyalties down the middle. It’s the kind of fracture that turns a government from a fortress into a house of cards. One wrong move, and it all tumbles.
On Sunday, October 12, 2025, Rajoelina’s office sounded the alarm, warning of “an attempt to seize power illegally and by force.”
That’s a polite way of saying, “We’re in deep trouble,” isn’t it? While they pointed fingers, CAPSAT urged other forces to hold fire on civilians—a rare nod to restraint amid the mayhem.
Come Monday, Rajoelina was a no-show for a planned national address, leaving everyone guessing. Reports soon trickled in that he’d hopped a French military aircraft out of dodge. For a man with dual citizenship, that’s a convenient exit strategy, though it hardly screams “leader of the people.”
Meanwhile, the streets of Antananarivo turned into a bizarre celebration as opposition figures and soldiers rolled through on armored vehicles.
It’s a surreal image—tanks and triumph mixing in a capital on edge. But with at least 22 dead and over 100 injured in protest clashes, per UN figures, the government disputes, this is no party.
CAPSAT’s commander, Col. Michael Randrianirina, didn’t mince words, stating, “We responded to the people’s call.” Noble sentiment, Colonel, but when an elite unit picks sides, it’s less about democracy and more about who holds the bigger stick. This isn’t a grassroots win; it’s a power grab dressed in populist garb.
The international community isn’t sitting idly by, with the U.S. and African Union urging all sides to cool their jets.
It’s a diplomatic way of saying, “Don’t make this mess any worse.” But with Rajoelina out of sight since the mutiny, restraint feels like a tall order.
This isn’t just a local spat—it’s a full-blown crisis threatening to sink Madagascar deeper into instability. A president on the run, security forces at odds, and a youth movement tasting blood all spell a recipe for prolonged unrest. And let’s be honest, no amount of progressive sloganeering from afar will fix this overnight.
Corruption allegations have long dogged Rajoelina, who returned to power in a disputed 2023 vote. Now, with his government teetering, those claims aren’t just gossip—they’re fuel for a fire that’s already raging. It’s a reminder that trust, once broken, is harder to rebuild than a power grid.
The Gen-Z-led protests show a generation unwilling to accept the status quo of blackouts and empty taps. While their frustration is valid, street revolts paired with military meddling rarely end in tidy resolutions. History isn’t kind to nations where guns and chants decide the future.
What’s next for Madagascar remains anyone’s guess, but a missing president and a divided army don’t bode well for quick stability.
The power struggle could drag on, leaving ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire of ambition and anger. It’s a tragic irony when the fight for better governance risks worse chaos.