Madagascar is currently engulfed in a profound political crisis, ignited by an alleged attempt to seize power illegally and by force, as formally reported by the office of President Andry Rajoelina. This critical development unfolds against a backdrop of escalating public protests that initially began over essential service disruptions, specifically water and power cuts on September 25, but have since evolved to encompass widespread dissatisfaction with Rajoelina’s government concerning high unemployment, rampant corruption, and a severe cost-of-living crisis across the nation.

A significant turn in these events was the declaration by an influential army unit, CAPSAT (Camps d'entraînement et d'activités sportives), stating that it had taken over the leadership of the military command and was now in control of all armed forces—land, air, and naval. CAPSAT's involvement carries historical weight, as it played a crucial role in the 2009 Malagasy political crisis that saw Rajoelina first rise to power. President Rajoelina, whose exact whereabouts remain undisclosed, vehemently condemned what he termed an attempt to destabilize the country, asserting it was in complete violation of the Constitution and democratic principles. He called upon all of the nation’s key forces to unite in defending the constitutional order and national sovereignty.

Further cementing its asserted authority, CAPSAT announced the appointment of General Demosthene Pikulas as the new army chief of staff, according to a statement released on its Facebook page. AFP news agency reported that the armed forces minister, Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo, accepted this appointment, stating, “I give him my blessing,” during a ceremony to install Gen Pikulas. Meanwhile, the anti-government protests, spearheaded by the youth-led movement known as Gen Z Mada, gained significant traction, culminating in demonstrators successfully reaching May 13 Square in the capital, Antananarivo, for the second consecutive day. This square is historically a focal point for previous uprisings, and its occupation was celebrated by protesters as