An elite military unit in Madagascar says it has seized power, ousting the country's embattled President Andry Rajoelina
CAPSAT has suspended key democratic institutions but has promised elections within two years
Madagascar's constitutional court named the unit's commander Col Michael Randrianirina as the country's new leader, but the president's office insists Rajoelina is still in charge
Lawmakers earlier voted to impeach Rajoelina, which he rejected as "null and void"
His whereabouts are unclear – there are reports he has fled the country on a French military plane. He said he was sheltering in a "safe place" after an attempt on his life
Madagascar has been rocked by weeks of protests – here's why young people have been demonstrating against Rajoelina's rule
This video can not be played
'We have seized power,' says head of military unit
Edited by Farouk Chothia, Wedaeli Chibelushi and Natasha Booty in London, with Sammy Awami in Antananarivo
Sammy Awami
Reporting from Antananarivo
Col Michael Randrianirina has seized power in Madagascar
The military unit known as CAPSAT is the most powerful in Madagascar, and the tide turned against President Rajoelina once it entered the political arena on Saturday.
That's when its troops left their barracks, and joined youth-led protesters in the capital, Antananarivo, demanding the president's resignation.
CAPSAT soldiers escorted protesters on foot – and others drove into the city, with crowds hanging from their vehicles. This act of mutiny against President Rajoelina's government was led by Col Michael Randrianirina – the man who is now in power in Madagascar.
CAPSAT stands for Personnel Administration and Technical and Administrative Services Corps.
It is, in fact, the name of a military camp, and the troops based there are referred to by the same name.
The camp is part of the army’s administrative, technical, and personnel services. Its troops are not a frontline combat unit, but are integral to the military’s internal structure, logistics, and support operations.
The camp is strategically located near Antananarivo. This, along with its size and arms depot, gives it enormous political and military clout.
In 2009, CAPSAT was the site of a mutiny, partly driven by dissatisfaction with the handling of mass protests against then-President Marc Ravalomana's government.
The mutiny was key to the ousting of Ravalomanana, and the rise of Andry Rajoelina.
Now, CAPSAT has risen against Rajoelina after his government was accused of using excessive force to quell protests.
The paramilitary gendarmes formed the backbone of Rajoelina's support, and there were reports on Saturday and Sunday that they were involved in shoot-outs with CAPSAT soldiers near their camp.
But CAPSAT won the battle, announcing on Sunday that it had taken control of all armed forces – the first step towards taking power in Madagascar.
If the military takeover is confirmed in Madagascar then it will be the latest in a series of coups to have hit the continent this decade:
Madagascan vanilla is highly sought after
The recent events in Madagascar have thrown a spotlight on a country that doesn't often make the international news. Here's a quick primer in case you want to know more:
Ranavalona III, Madagascar's last monarch, lived in exile after she was deposed by the French
There is still no word from the president himself after the military announced hours ago that it was kicking him out of power.
But a statement from his office insists he remains in charge.
"The president of the republic remains fully in office and ensures the maintenance of constitutional order and national stability," it said.
"The presence of armed military forces in front of the presidential palace constitutes a clear act of attempted coup d'etat," it added.
President Andry Rajoelina's last filmed address to the nation was on Monday night
People in the capital Antananarivo have been in jubilant mood since the early hours of Monday, sensing change was afoot but with no official announcement from the presidency.
Since then, MPs have voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina and the military has announced its takeover.
While much is still uncertain about how the next few days and weeks will look, many citizens seem confident the worst is behind them:
Crowds formed early on at Antanarivo's Town Hall:
"Rajoelina and Macron out," says this man's sign, referring to unconfirmed reports that France had airlifted Madagascar's president out of the country.
Officers from the elite military unit that has seized power in Madagascar have rolled through the capital, Antananarivo, in armoured Humvees and pick-up trucks, AFP reports.
Crowds lined the pavements, cheering and waving as they passed, while motorists honked their car horns and some followed the convoy in what AFP describes as a victory lap through the city.
Sammy Awami
Reporting from Antananarivo
Local media are reporting that the constitutional court in Madagascar has confirmed the leadership of Col Mickael Randrianirina.
The court also confirmed vacancies in the office of the president and the president of the senate.
The court took the decision despite the fact that the military has announced the suspension of its activities.
Earlier, the national assembly – the lower house of parliament – voted to impeach President Rajoelina, accusing him of desertion of duty.
President Andry Rajoelina has not yet commented on the announcement of the military takeover.
His exact whereabouts are unknown but he is widely believed to have left the country.
Earlier Rajoelina had tried to dissolve the national assembly – the lower house of parliament – before it voted to impeach him. He put that announcement on X, external.
His next post, which was shared as parliament was getting ready to vote, external, was about the energy crisis.
"In order to increase energy production in Madagascar and address the electricity difficulties faced by our fellow citizens, I am currently overseeing the reception of new production units. These facilities will enhance the national energy capacity," he wrote.
He then said: "I’m following up with several official visits planned to friendly countries, members of [the regional body] Sadc, before returning home to personally oversee the commissioning of these facilities."
The elite military unit's announcement that it had suspended the activities of the Constitutional Court is significant.
The court was supposed to have approved the decision of the National Assembly – the lower house of parliament – to impeach Rajoelina, for it to take effect.
"We will form a government and reach consensus," Col Michael Randrianirina has told reporters in Madagascar after announcing that his elite unit, CAPSAT, had seized power.
Asked if they would hold elections, he replied: "Of course." This will happen within the next "18 months to two years", he said.
The CAPSAT chief said Gen Z Mada protesters would be part of the changes because "the movement was created in the streets so we have to respect their demands".
He said he and his fellow officers had no choice but to unseat the current regime.
"There is no president, there is no government… nothing here works."
CAPSAT soldiers have cornered off the presidential palace
CAPSAT, the military unit which says it has ousted President Rajoelina, was instrumental in him becoming president in the first place.
In 2009, CAPSAT supported Rajoelina when he seized power from then-President Marc Ravalomanana. Now, it has turned on him following mass protests against his rule.
Sammy Awami
Reporting from Antananarivo
This video can not be played
'We have seized power,' says head of military unit in Madagascar
The head of the elite unit that says it has seized power in Madagascar has announced that it would be suspending all constitutional institutions except the lower house of parliament, which earlier voted to impeach the president.
This includes the senate, the constitutional court and the electoral commission, the Reuters news agency reports.
Here's a quick recap on the events of the last few weeks:
After announcing that his elite unit, CAPSAT, had taken power, Col Michael Randrianirina has been speaking more about what happens next.
He said that CAPSAT will create a committee with officers from the army, gendarmerie and national police.
"Perhaps in time it will include senior civilian advisers. It is this committee that will carry out the work of the presidency," Col Randrianirina is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
"At the same time, after a few days, we will set up a civilian government."
Here's a picture of Colonel Michael Randrianirina and other members of the elite CAPSAT military unit, standing in front of the presidential palace after announcing they had taken power.
We are getting more details on what appears to be a military takeover.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the elite CAPSAT military unit, read a statement on national radio saying: "We have taken the power."
CAPSAT defied the president's authority at the weekend, unexpectedly joining forces with the protesters who have been demanding Rajoelina resign.
Members of Rajoelina's party, IRMAR, were present at the impeachment vote in the national assembly – and even they voted overwhelmingly against him, increasing the pressure on him to step down.
Following the vote to impeach Rajoelina, elite military unit CAPSAT says it is taking power, the Reuters news agency reports.
AFP reports that an "army colonel" says the military has taken charge.
MPs in Madagascar's national assembly have voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina by 130 yes votes to one blank ballot.
Now, the High Constitutional Court has to validate the vote.
The president remains defiant despite the many threats to his position
President Rajoelina has condemned the impeachment vote currently taking place.
He notes that the meeting has taken place despite him dissolving the national assembly and says the vote is unconstitutional.
Whatever the outcome of the meeting, it will be "deemed null and void", Rajoelina says in a statement posted on Facebook.
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