Military declares takeover in Madagascar as president flees country: Video
Madagascar’s military has declared a takeover and suspended parts of the constitution over widespread unrest, as reports circulate that President Andry Rajoelina has fled the country.
The announcement was delivered by Colonel Michael Randrianirina on national television. Colonel Randrianirina, speaking on behalf of a group calling itself the Transitional Government for Reform, accused the outgoing leadership of violating the constitution, abusing human rights, and mismanaging national resources.
“In response to the Malagasy people’s demand for the restoration of democracy, the rebuilding of trust in state institutions, and a government based on justice and accountability, we hereby issue this decree suspending the 2010 Constitution in its conflicting provisions,” he said.
The decree, labelled 2025-001, also suspends several major institutions, including the Senate, the Constitutional Court, the electoral commission, and the High Council for the Defence of Democracy. Only the National Assembly will remain functional during the transition, Viory reports.
The military announced the creation of a transitional government, a restructured judiciary, and a two-year period leading to a national referendum and new elections.
This intervention follows weeks of intense protests over economic hardship, corruption, and allegations of electoral manipulation.
According to United Nations estimates, at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in recent clashes, although government officials dispute the figures. Colonel Randrianirina said the military's move was necessary to prevent further instability, claiming that external emigration and internal unrest had reached a breaking point. “The plundering of national resources has led to the deterioration of the economy and the mass exodus of youth,” he said.
Demonstrators, many of them young, have accused authorities of ignoring widespread poverty and rising costs of living.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
