Madagascar Army seizes power after its President is impeached
INTERNATIONAL – AFRICA
15 OCTOBER 2025
- An elite military unit that backed youth-led anti-government street protests said that it had taken power in Madagascar after the national assembly voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina.
- The impeachment vote passed with 130 votes in favour — well above the two-thirds constitutional threshold required in the 163-member chamber.
- Mr. Rajoelina, who was in hiding reportedly out of the country, had refused growing demands to step down after demonstrations that started on September 25, 2025 won the backing of the CAPSAT military unit.
- CAPSAT commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina read out a statement at the presidential palace saying the unit would set up a governing committee composed of officers from the Army, gendarmerie and national police. Perhaps in time it will include senior civilian advisers.
