Politics President in Madagascar denounces attempted coup
After days of violent protests on the island state of Madagascar, head of state Andry Rajoelina has denounced an attempted coup against him. The president's office called the situation "extremely serious" on Sunday and called on the population to stand together and engage in dialog. Shortly beforehand, an insurgent army unit had declared that it had taken control of the land, air and naval forces of the huge island state off the south-eastern coast of Africa.
12.10.2025, 13:39
SDA
The day before, the leader of the unit called Capsat, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, had already called on his troops to disobey and urged them to stop using violence against the demonstrators demanding Rajoelina's resignation. Numerous soldiers then joined the protests. However, Madagascar also has a gendarmerie that acts separately from the police and military.
Tens of thousands of young people from "Gen Z" - people born between 1995 and 2010 - have been demonstrating in the Indian Ocean island nation since the end of September. The uprisings were triggered by persistent power and water cuts, shortcomings in the education system and dissatisfaction with high unemployment and widespread poverty.
Rajoelina's whereabouts were unknown on Sunday. Neither rumors that the president had left the country nor statements that he had barricaded himself in his seat of government could be confirmed at first.
In the hope of putting an end to the violent protests in which at least 22 people were killed, Rajoelina had dissolved the government and appointed a new prime minister. But that is not enough for the demonstrators - they are demanding Rajoelina's own resignation.
