An army unit in Madagascar has announced that it has taken control of the state. The announcement on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, followed the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina by the National Assembly. The impeachment vote occurred after the president had departed the capital Antananarivo amid protests. The sequence of events has created a constitutional crisis in the nation.
President’s Departure and Dissolution of Parliament
The events began to unfold when President Andry Rajoelina left Antananarivo. His departure occurred in the context of large-scale public protests in Madagascar that according to reports had the support of factions within the armed forces. While away from the capital the President issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly. Opponents of the president and news outlets reported this act as an attempt by Rajoelina to prevent the legislature from taking legal action against him.
The move to dissolve the legislature was the President’s response to a political crisis that had been building for weeks. Opposition groups had been organising protests against his government. The reasons cited for the protests included accusations of government corruption and economic mismanagement. The President’s decision to leave the capital, and potentially Madagascar altogether, as these army-backed protests grew, was a key event leading to the subsequent actions by the parliament and the military.
The National Assembly’s Impeachment Vote
Despite the presidential decree that dissolved their chamber, lawmakers of the National Assembly of Madagascar convened for an emergency session. They proceeded based on the legal argument that Rajoelina’s attempt to dissolve the legislature was unconstitutional and therefore invalid. The members of parliament also cited the President’s flight from the capital as an effective abandonment of his official duties and his post.
Based on these justifications, the lawmakers moved forward with impeachment proceedings against President Rajoelina. A vote was held during the emergency session. The National Assembly voted to impeach the president in his absence. This action by the legislative branch of the government formally removed the head of state from his position and created a power vacuum at the executive level of the civilian government.
The Military’s Declaration and Seizure of Control
Following the President’s impeachment, a military unit in Antananarivo made a formal announcement that it had seized control of the state. A military spokesperson appeared in a broadcast to address the nation. The spokesperson stated, “We have taken power to ensure the continuity of the state and the safety of the Malagasy people.”
In the broadcast, the military provided its reasons for the intervention. The spokesperson cited the breakdown of constitutional order and the failure of the nation’s political leaders to manage the crisis as the justification for its actions. The military’s statement also declared that all civilian government functions were suspended until further notice. This declaration confirmed that a Madagascar military takeover had occurred. Following the announcement, military vehicles and personnel were observed at key locations throughout the capital. They were seen securing government buildings and other strategic infrastructure to enforce their control over the city.
Comment on the Situation
Military takeovers are very unpopular in general political contexts. When viewed from a theoretical perspective, however, they are key components of national risk management, but they require strict adherence to rules and principles. First and foremost, the military must ensure that the citizens and the principles of the nation are safeguarded. Whenever the military sees that these are endangered, it needs to take action. Second, it needs to step in only as a last resort. Third, it needs to hand the government back to political professionals once the nation can form a regular civilian government again.
In the case of Madagascar, the military takeover displays very healthy signs. Apparently, the military reacted in the interest of the people by quickly taking over the government after the impeachment, and handled the situation transparently with the raging population. Second, the military stepped in only after the impeachment, which is also very important. Now, it will be important to see the military hand the government back to political professionals. If that happens, the intervention can be seen as a truly healthy, necessary and successful one.
