A severe political crisis erupted in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, toward the close of September 2025. This widespread turmoil was primarily triggered by massive youth protests that began on September 25. These demonstrations were fundamentally fueled by persistent, chronic failures in providing essential utilities to the population, most notably reliable electricity and safe potable water. The initial grievances rapidly escalated, transforming into demands for fundamental structural changes in national governance. Interestingly, the momentum and inspiration for this movement were drawn from similar successful youth uprisings previously witnessed in nations like Morocco and Nepal.
The escalating tensions between the demonstrators and state security forces quickly led to tragic and violent outcomes. Data confirmed by the United Nations indicated a grim toll: at least 22 individuals were confirmed dead, and hundreds more sustained injuries during the fierce clashes. In an attempt to defuse the volatile situation, President Andry Rajoelina took action on September 29, dissolving his entire cabinet and appointing Prime Minister Christian Ntsay to head a temporary, interim administration. However, this significant political concession failed entirely to quell the public unrest; participants insisted vociferously on the immediate and unconditional resignation of the president himself.
The political standoff reached a definitive breaking point on October 12, 2025. On this pivotal date, the AKATPS unit, an influential faction of the Malagasy Armed Forces, openly defied standing government orders. Instead, they threw their full support behind the protesters, a move that culminated in the swift seizure of the capital city. Amidst the ensuing chaos, the lower legislative chamber, known as the National Assembly, moved decisively on October 13. They voted overwhelmingly for Rajoelina’s impeachment, recording 130 affirmative votes. This action was taken despite the president having previously announced the dissolution of the assembly, leading his administration to immediately declare the impeachment session unconstitutional and illegitimate.
The political landscape shifted dramatically in the early hours of October 14. President Andry Rajoelina, who is reported to possess French citizenship, departed the country. He explicitly refused to tender his resignation, asserting that his sudden departure was purely necessary to protect his life from an alleged assassination plot, which he claimed was orchestrated by a specific faction within the army. Later that same day, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, acting on behalf of the elite AKATPS military unit, formally announced the successful seizure of governmental power. The military leadership immediately declared the dissolution of all existing state institutions, making an exception only for the lower house of parliament. Crucially, they stated their firm intention to establish a legitimate civilian government structure without undue delay.
Following the military takeover, efforts were immediately undertaken to project an image of stability and control. General Demosthenes Picolas, the newly appointed Chief of General Staff for Madagascar—a position he was installed in on Sunday with the full backing of the Minister of Armed Forces—publicly affirmed that the nation’s security forces were now working collaboratively and cohesively to maintain order and ensure stability across the entire state.