Madagascar Struggling With Coup, Government Could Lose Control

Madagscar's government has confirmed that they are struggling to contain a military coup that could destabilize the leadership of the island country.

The coup is being conducted by CAPSAT, an elite group of the Malagasy military, after weeks of severe protests. However, the group has a deeper history in Madagscar's political world.

In 2009, the Army Corps of Personnel and Administrative and Technical Services (CAPSAT), an elite group within Madagascar's military, helped Andry Rajoelina overthrow then-President Marc Ravalomanana. Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital of Antananarivo, led anti-government protests for months after the government shut down his TV station, and the use of violence by police officers quickly degraded the public's trust in Ravalomanana.

Soon after, CAPSAT troops captured several key government buildings, and Ravalomanana stepped down, making way for Rajoelina to lead the country. He led Madagascar until 2014, when he stepped down due to international pressure, but was re-elected in 2018 and has held power since then. Now, ironically, Rajoelina is facing the same situation, and the very same CAPSAT division that helped him gain power is now working to overthrow him.

Last month, Madagascar was hit with massive protests from the country's youth, fighting back against constant disruptions to water and electricity supply across Antananarivo. However, these protests rapidly escalated into major backlash over larger, more significant Malagasy problems. Soon, the protests included topics like corruption, unemployment rates, and high costs of living, all of which have plagued Madagascar for years.

Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries in the world– over 70% of the population earns less than $2 per day, and the average GDP per capita is just $545. Over 35% of citizens are illiterate, and the country ranked 140 out of 180 countries on Transparency International's 2024 corruption index. Additionally, the country is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which is quickly ramping up the strength and frequency of cyclones and droughts in the region. The country also struggles with high crime rates, discouraging tourism despite its incredible natural beauty and staggering biodiversity.

Now, yet another government change seems to be on the way. CAPSAT has confirmed that they have taken over Madagascar's entire military, and massive, violent protests have continued in public squares and large gathering areas. The protestors are calling for the resignation of President Rajoelina, and CAPSAT was rallied to action after seeing the violence used by authorities against the common population. Dozens of people have died, and hundreds of others have been injured during the uprisings.

Nevertheless, the president asserted that he and his government were in control of the situation– until now. Rajoelina confirmed yesterday that an illegal attempt to forcefully take power is underway, and as previously demonstrated in 2009, CAPSAT is highly capable of succeeding in a coup.

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Image credit to the New York Times