Madagascar’s president warns of an attempt to “seize power”: what to know | News of the interpreters

Madagascar’s presidency said an “attempt to seize power illegally and forcefully” was underway, a day after soldiers from a special military unit joined a youth-led protest against the government.

“Given the seriousness of this situation, the President of the Republic… strongly condemns this attempt to destabilize and calls on all the forces of the nation to unite in defense of the constitutional order and national sovereignty,” President Andry Rajoelina’s office said in a statement on Sunday.

The statement did not specify who was behind what it described as an attempted coup, but members of the CAPSAT military unit, which put Rajoelina in power, said it had taken control of the armed forces three weeks after the deadly Generation Z protests.

“From now on, all orders of the Malagasy Army – whether land, air or (sea) – will be issued from the CABSAT headquarters,” officers from the CABSAT Administrative and Technical Unit said in a video message on Saturday.

It was not clear whether other army units would follow the order.

In the face of escalating protests, Rajoelina faces the most serious political crisis in his rule of the African country.

So what’s happening in Madagascar? Is this the end for Rajoelina? What do Gen Z protesters want?

What’s the latest?

Protests organized by a group calling itself Gen Z Madagascar have spilled onto the streets for a third week. Saturday saw one of the largest protests since the unrest began last month over a range of issues, including the high-cost of living crisis and corruption.

“Do we call this a coup? I don’t know yet,” said Colonel Michael Randrianrena of the CAPSAT unit, addressing crowds of demonstrators from an armored vehicle on Saturday.

CAPSAT officers said they appointed General Demosthenes Pecholas as army commander, a position that has remained vacant since the appointment of its previous occupant as armed forces minister last week, Agence France-Presse reported. However, it was not clear whether this post could be considered official.

There was no immediate response from other units or the current military leadership.

On Saturday, a group of soldiers clashed with gendarmes in barracks before driving into the city to join Generation Z protesters demanding Rajoelina step down.

Why are anti-government protests happening in Madagascar?

On September 25, young protesters began demonstrations against water and electricity shortages, drawing inspiration from a wave of protest movements led by Gen Z in countries including Kenya, Indonesia, Morocco, Nepal and Bangladesh.

The protests quickly escalated and escalated into calls for an end to Rajoelina’s rule, the dissolution of the Senate, and an end to privileges enjoyed by business owners believed to be close to the president. They also want Rajoelina to apologize for the violence that left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations.

Madagascar – an island nation off the eastern coast of Africa with a population of more than 31 million, 80% of whom suffer from extreme poverty – has a history of political crises. Many of the country’s leaders have been forced to step down in uprisings since its independence from France in 1960.

Generation Z protesters are demanding “radical change to build a free, equal and unified society.”

Among the issues it aims to address are systemic corruption, misappropriation of public funds, nepotism, and failure to access basic services, education, and vibrant democracy.

Rajoelina, 51, first rose to prominence in 2009 after he led anti-government protests as mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, which led to the overthrow of President Marc Ravalomanana with the support of the military.

A military junta seized power and handed it over to Rajoelina as interim leader. Later, in 2018, he was elected president and then again in 2023 when opposition parties boycotted the vote.

What is Gen Z Madagascar?

Gen Z Madagascar’s logo is a pirate skull and crossbones. The image from the Japanese comedy series “One Piece” has become central to the global wave of Gen Z protests and is commonly worn by black-clad protesters in Madagascar.

From Kenya to Nepal, this series, which follows the adventures of a young pirate and his crew against a tyrannical government, has come to symbolize the Generation Z movement.

In Madagascar, the image was customized by adding a traditional Malagasy hat to the skull.

The group has its own WebsiteAnd a presence on social media platforms and a GoFundMe page to raise money. Their website title says: “Youth Political Movement, by Youth, for Madagascar.”

“They don’t want to hear us on the streets,” the website says. “Today, thanks to digital technology and the voice of Generation Z, we will make our voices heard at the power table on the opposition side. To end 16 years of inaction, let us demand transparency, accountability and deep reforms.”

In response to Rajoelina’s offer to hold talks, the demonstrators said in a statement: “We do not communicate with a regime that crushes those who stand for justice every day. This government talks about dialogue but rules with weapons.”

The demonstrators in Madagascar are being compared to youth-led protest movements in Bangladesh, Nepal and Kenya, which forced political change. In Nepal, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was forced to resign after mass protests last month, while Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee to neighboring India after a student-led uprising in August 2024.

Around the world, Generation Z, or people under 30, are leading a new wave of protests. Unlike traditional movements, these demonstrations are often organized online, using platforms like TikTok and Discord to spread messages, plan actions and connect with other young people.

From Africa to Asia and Latin America, Generation Z protesters are demonstrating against corruption, economic hardship, climate inaction, and social inequality, demanding system reform.

What did the government say?

Prime Minister Rufin Fortunat Zavisambo, speaking on state broadcaster TVM late Saturday evening, said the government was “fully prepared to listen and engage in a dialogue with all factions – youth, unions and the army.”

Rajoelina appointed Zavisambu after he dissolved the previous government last week in response to the protests. But this move failed to calm popular anger.

Later, the Army Chief of Staff, General Jocelyn Rakotson, issued a statement broadcast by local media urging citizens to “help the security forces restore order through dialogue.”