Army takes control of African island of Madagascar amid political unrest

A military coup has taken place in Madagascar, according to an Associated Press report that also says the country’s parliament voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, who recently fled the country.

Madagascar is a large island off the coast of the African continent.

Just after Parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who fled the country fearing for his safety, the head of Madagascar’s elite military unit CAPSAT said the armed forces would form a council made up of officers from the army and police, or gendarmerie, and appoint a prime minister to “rapidly” form a civilian government.

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Members of the Malagasy army’s CAPSAT unit board armored vehicles while adopting a defensive posture as they leave the presidential palace in Antananarivo, October 14, 2025. (Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images)

“We are taking power,” said Colonel Michael Randrianirina, according to the exit.

He said the Constitution and the powers of the High Constitutional Court had been suspended and that a referendum would be held in two years, without going into details.

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Members of Madagascar’s CAPSAT military unit patrol in an armored vehicle as residents gather for a ceremony to honor protesters killed during anti-government protests in Antananarivo, October 12, 2025. (Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images)

The presidency issued a statement calling the military’s announcement an “illegal declaration” and a “serious violation of the rule of law,” insisting that “the Republic of Madagascar cannot be taken hostage by force. The State remains standing,” according to the AP.

Rajoelina issued a decree attempting to dissolve the lower house of the country’s parliament in an apparent bid to avoid impeachment, the AP reported, noting that lawmakers ignored the move.

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Members of Madagascar’s CAPSAT military unit patrol aboard a van as they are greeted with jubilation by residents gathered for a ceremony to honor protesters killed during anti-government protests in Antananarivo, October 12, 2025. (Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images)

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CAPSAT is the military entity that revolted against the national government in 2009 and helped Rajoelina gain power, according to the media outlet.

The Associated Press contributed to this report