Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina announced on Sunday morning that his country is facing an “attempt to seize power illegally and by force,” as the capital Antananarivo witnesses escalating anti-government protests following the joining of army units to demonstrators demanding his departure.

A statement from the presidency said, “An attempt to seize power by force, in violation of the constitution and democratic principles, is currently underway on national territory,” calling on the international community to monitor developments.

The president’s remarks came a day after a group of soldiers joined thousands of protesters who took to the streets of the capital, chanting slogans accusing him of corruption and authoritarian rule.

Madagascar, with a population of about 30 million located off the southeastern coast of Africa, has experienced repeated political unrest since Rajoelina came to power following a 2009 coup, despite later winning elections in 2018 and 2023. The opposition accuses him since then of suppressing dissent and manipulating the electoral process.

Roots of the Crisis

The recent protests were sparked in late September when opposition forces accused authorities of widespread violations in the last presidential election.

Since then, the protest movement has expanded to include student unions and civil society organizations, increasing pressure on the government.

Division Within the Army

Although security forces have so far avoided widespread repression, the defection of some military units last Saturday represented a serious development that could deepen divisions within the military institution and increase political fragility.

Analysts warned that continued confrontation could threaten the fragile country’s stability, while regional and international organizations, including the African Union and the United Nations, called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect the constitutional order.