Madagascar Sees Widening Anti-Government Protests Led by Generation Z
Unit That Helped Elect President Declares "Military Control," Turns Against Him
President: "Coup Underway... I Will Seek a Solution"
In Madagascar, anti-government protests led primarily by Generation Z (those born in the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s) have continued for over two weeks. Amid this unrest, President Andry Rajoelina announced that he had "taken refuge in a safe place to protect his life." According to Yonhap News, on the 13th (local time), President Rajoelina delivered a national address broadcast via social media, stating this without disclosing his specific location.
On the 9th (local time), in Antananarivo, Madagascar, during nationwide youth-led protests over frequent power outages and water shortages, a protester is waving a flag. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
According to reports, President Rajoelina emphasized, "I will not stop my efforts to find a solution," and added, "The crisis can only be resolved in accordance with the Constitution." It was not confirmed whether the address was broadcast live or pre-recorded.
The presidential address itself became a source of confusion. Earlier, the Office of the President of Madagascar had announced that President Rajoelina would deliver a national address at 7:00 p.m. that day regarding the current political situation. However, the presidential office later stated that "the military threatened to take over state media," resulting in a 1 hour and 30 minute delay of the address. The office also said that "negotiations are underway," and the speech was rescheduled twice, eventually being set for 9:30 p.m.
Protests began on August 25 in the capital Antananarivo and other cities, in response to frequent water and power outages. On August 29, President Rajoelina dismissed the entire cabinet and promised to resolve the issue at the national level, but dissatisfaction among the youth persisted, and the protests escalated into nationwide demonstrations demanding the president's resignation.
The United Nations reported that at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured during the police crackdown on the protests from August 25 to 26. However, President Rajoelina countered that "the confirmed number of deaths is 12, all of whom were looters and vandals."
On the 11th (local time), protesters were chanting slogans in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
Meanwhile, during the protests on the 11th, the CAPSATS unit, composed of army administrative and technical officers stationed in Soanierana, a suburb of Antananarivo, refused orders to open fire and joined the demonstrators. In response, President Rajoelina claimed on the following day, the 12th, that "an illegal coup (military uprising) is underway." However, officers from the CAPSATS unit denied the coup allegations, while declaring, "From now on, all orders for the army, air force, and navy of Madagascar will be issued from the CAPSATS headquarters," effectively announcing their control over the military.
The CAPSATS unit had supported the current President Rajoelina during the anti-government protests in 2009, helping to bring about a change in regime. With even the CAPSATS unit turning against him, there are now reports that President Rajoelina has fled abroad.
The Associated Press, citing an opposition lawmaker, previously reported that "President Rajoelina left the country the day after the military turned against him." French public radio RFI also quoted military sources as saying that "President Rajoelina departed on a French military aircraft on the 12th."
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