Madagascar is currently embroiled in a significant political crisis, marked by escalating anti-government protests in the capital, Antananarivo. The movement, which began on September 25, 2025, was initially sparked by widespread anger over persistent power and water shortages but has since broadened to encompass deep-seated dissatisfaction with President Andry Rajoelina's government, citing high unemployment, corruption, and a severe cost-of-living crisis.

The situation intensified dramatically on October 11, 2025, when a contingent of soldiers from the Malagasy army joined thousands of anti-government protesters. These soldiers, from the CAPSAT (administrative and technical officers) unit based in the Soanierana district on the outskirts of Antananarivo, repudiated the violent crackdown on the youth-led demonstrations that had rocked the Indian Ocean island for more than two weeks. They explicitly called on other security units to 'join forces' with the demonstrators and 'refuse orders to shoot' against their fellow citizens. Clashes between soldiers and gendarmes were reported outside a barracks before the soldiers rode into the city in army vehicles, where they were welcomed with cheers and calls for Rajoelina's resignation at the symbolic Place du 13 Mai in front of Antananarivo's city hall.

President Andry Rajoelina responded to these developments on Sunday, October 12, releasing a statement condemning what he described as an 'attempt to seize power illegally and by force,' which he stated was contrary to the Constitution and democratic principles. He urged for 'unity' and emphasized that 'dialogue is the only way forward and the only solution to the crisis currently facing the country.' The government later assured the nation that Rajoelina remained 'in the country' and was 'managing national affairs,' with the newly appointed prime minister asserting that the government was 'standing strong' and 'ready to collaborate and listen.'

Adding to the complexity, officers of the gendarmerie, which had been accused of violence against protesters, released their own video statement on Sunday morning. In it, they acknowledged 'faults and excesses during our interventions' and called for 'fraternity' between the army and the gendarmes, stating, 'We are here to protect, not to terrorize.' They also declared that 'from now on, all orders will come solely' from the gendarmerie's headquarters.

Hours later, the CAPSAT unit made a more assertive move, claiming it had taken over the leadership of the military command and was now in control of all armed forces – land, air, and naval. CAPSAT, a unit that played a crucial role in the 2009 Malagasy political crisis that brought Rajoelina to power, announced the appointment of a new chief of staff, Gen Demosthene Pikulas, via a statement on its Facebook page. Subsequent reports on Sunday morning indicated a shoot-out at the CAPSAT camp following a visit by gendarmerie officials for discussions, though further details of this incident remained scarce.

The unfolding events highlight the volatile political landscape in Madagascar, where historical precedents of military involvement in political transitions, such as CAPSAT's role in 2009, continue to shape the present crisis. The nation watches as conflicting claims of authority and calls for constitutional order clash with widespread public discontent, leaving the future of the island nation uncertain.