Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina, on Sunday alleged that an attempt to seize power “illegally and by force” was underway, following a dramatic show of defiance by a group of soldiers who joined anti-government protesters in the capital, Antananarivo.
The development came a day after soldiers stationed on the outskirts of the city called on other security forces to “join forces” and “refuse orders to shoot” protesters, rejecting the government’s violent crackdown on weeks of youth-led demonstrations over worsening power and water shortages.
In a statement released by the presidency on Sunday morning, Rajoelina condemned the incident, describing it as an effort to overthrow the government outside constitutional means.
“The Presidency of the Republic wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and democratic principles, is currently underway,” the statement read.
Rajoelina urged calm and called for dialogue, saying, “Unity and dialogue are the only way forward to resolve the current crisis.”
On Saturday, the soldiers clashed briefly with gendarmes near a barracks before riding into Antananarivo on military vehicles. They were greeted by cheering crowds at the symbolic Place du 13 Mai, a historic site for political demonstrations, where protesters chanted calls for Rajoelina’s resignation.
In an apparent shift, Madagascar’s gendarmerie, which has been accused of using excessive force against demonstrators, released a video on Sunday acknowledging “faults and excesses during our interventions.” The officers called for “fraternity” with the army, saying, “We are here to protect, not to terrorise,” and announced that all future orders would come directly from the gendarmerie’s headquarters.
Saturday’s rally was one of the largest since protests erupted on September 25, fuelled by anger over deteriorating living conditions and prolonged shortages of electricity and water.
Despite growing tensions, the presidency late Sunday confirmed that Rajoelina remained in Madagascar and was “managing national affairs.” The newly appointed prime minister also assured the public that the government was “standing strong” and open to dialogue.
The mutinous soldiers were reportedly from the CAPSAT contingent of administrative and technical officers based in Soanierana, on the outskirts of Antananarivo — the same military base that led a mutiny during the 2009 uprising that first brought Rajoelina to power.
As of Sunday night, it remained unclear how many soldiers had joined the rebellion or whether it posed an immediate threat to the stability of Rajoelina’s government.
