The military in Madagascar has taken control of the country after the national assembly voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina for desertion of duty.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the CAPSAT military unit, announced the takeover, stating that a committee composed of officers from the army, gendarmerie, and national police would be set up to run the country.
The committee will carry out the work of the presidency, and a civilian government will be established within a few days.
The military’s move comes after weeks of anti-government street demonstrations led by Gen Z protesters, who demanded Rajoelina’s resignation over chronic water and electricity shortages, corruption, and poor governance.
Rajoelina, who had refused to step down, went into hiding and later claimed he was sheltering in a “safe space” after attempts on his life.
The president had attempted to dissolve the national assembly by decree to block the impeachment vote, but the move was deemed invalid by parliament.
The impeachment vote passed with 130 votes in favor, exceeding the two-thirds constitutional threshold required in the 163-member chamber.
The High Constitutional Court still needs to validate the vote.
The CAPSAT military unit, which played a major role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power, joined the protesters over the weekend, calling for the president and other government ministers to step down.
The situation in Madagascar remains uncertain, with the international community closely watching developments in the strategically located island nation.
The country has a history of military-backed coups since independence from France in 1960.
