Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina announced on Sunday that "an attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was underway, as the elite CAPSAT military unit claimed control over all branches of the armed forces and installed General Demosthene Pikulas as army chief.

Reuters

Al Arabiya

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina announced on Sunday that "an attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was underway, as the elite CAPSAT military unit claimed control over all branches of the armed forces and installed General Demosthene Pikulas as army chief.

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2025/madagascar-appoints-army-general-as-pm-amid-deadly-protests">Newly appointed Prime Minister Ruphin Zafisambo</a> announced on Saturday evening that the government "remains firm" and was ready to "collaborate and listen to all forces — the youth, unions, and the army," warning that the African island nation would not withstand a deepening crisis.

Dw.Com

Punchng

Newly appointed Prime Minister Ruphin Zafisambo announced on Saturday evening that the government "remains firm" and was ready to "collaborate and listen to all forces — the youth, unions, and the army," warning that the African island nation would not withstand a deepening crisis.

The CAPSAT unit, which helped bring Rajoelina to power in a 2009 coup, joined protesters on Saturday and urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and refuse to shoot civilians, escorting thousands of demonstrators to May 13 Square in Antananarivo.</span

France 24

Al Jazeera

The CAPSAT unit, which helped bring Rajoelina to power in a 2009 coup, joined protesters on Saturday and urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and refuse to shoot civilians, escorting thousands of demonstrators to May 13 Square in Antananarivo.

A unit of the paramilitary gendarmerie reportedly also broke ranks with the government on Sunday, stating that the gendarmerie should protect people rather than defend the interests of a few individuals, and announced coordination with CAPSAT headquarters.

ReliefWeb

The Business Standard

A unit of the paramilitary gendarmerie reportedly also broke ranks with the government on Sunday, stating that the gendarmerie should protect people rather than defend the interests of a few individuals, and announced coordination with CAPSAT headquarters.

President Rajoelina's whereabouts remained unknown on Sunday, with many believing he had left the country, while his office maintained he was managing national affairs and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis through peaceful means.</span

The New York Times

Africanews

President Rajoelina's whereabouts remained unknown on Sunday, with many believing he had left the country, while his office maintained he was managing national affairs and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis through peaceful means.

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2025/madagascar-imposes-curfew-after-utility-protests-turn-violent">Youth-led protests began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages</a> but expanded into broader demands for President Rajoelina's resignation, with the United Nations reporting that "at least 22 had been killed" while the government disputes this figure.

Guardian

UN News

Nilepost

Youth-led protests began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages but expanded into broader demands for President Rajoelina's resignation, with the United Nations reporting that "at least 22 had been killed" while the government disputes this figure.

An illegal coup attempt is underway as rogue military units abandon their duty and join violent protesters threatening national stability. Elite forces are coordinating an armed takeover while the president maintains control and offers dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully. The military breakdown endangers Madagascar's democratic institutions and threatens to plunge the nation into chaos.

An illegal coup attempt is underway as rogue military units abandon their duty and join violent protesters threatening national stability. Elite forces are coordinating an armed takeover while the president maintains control and offers dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully. The military breakdown endangers Madagascar's democratic institutions and threatens to plunge the nation into chaos.</span

The Voice of Africa

Rajoelina Calls for National Talks as Madagascar Faces Widening Unrest

Madagascar president warns of coup attempt as more soldiers join protests

Madagascar's military is heroically standing with the people against a brutal regime that has killed at least 22 protesters. Soldiers are refusing orders to shoot their own citizens and joining demonstrations after witnessing police violence including severe beatings caught on video. The president's appointment of military officers to government shows desperation as his authoritarian crackdown fails.

Madagascar's military is heroically standing with the people against a brutal regime that has killed at least 22 protesters. Soldiers are refusing orders to shoot their own citizens and joining demonstrations after witnessing police violence including severe beatings caught on video. The president's appointment of military officers to government shows desperation as his authoritarian crackdown fails.</span

UN chief deeply saddened by deadly protests in Madagascar

20251011 Madagascar Soldiers Join Protestors

There is a 13 percent chance that there will be a successful coup d’état in Africa before December 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 13 percent chance that there will be a successful coup d’état in Africa before December 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Madagascar President Warns of Coup Attempt as Soldiers Join Protests

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Madagascar President Warns of Coup Attempt as Soldiers Join Protests

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