Madagascar’s Elite CAPSAT Unit Seizes Antananarivo Amid Youth Protests

When Andry Rajoelina, President of Republic of Madagascar woke up on 12 October 2025, he found his capital, Antananarivo, under the control of the very troops that helped put him in power a decade ago.

The elite CAPSAT unit of the Madagascar Armed Forces refused to follow government orders, stormed the army headquarters and installed a new chief of staff—all while streets full of Gen‑Z demonstrators cheered the turn of events. The takeover came after more than two weeks of protests sparked by rolling power and water outages that have left the capital sweltering and its residents in darkness.

Background: From 2009 Coup to 2025 Power Crisis

It helps to remember that CAPSAT isn’t a brand‑new force. In 2009, the same unit flanked Rajoelina’s march on power, toppling then‑President Marc Ravalomanana and installing a transitional government. Since then, the military has mostly kept a low profile, stepping in only when the nation’s fragile politics threatened to unravel.

The spark that ignited the latest unrest was a cascade of blackouts that began on 25 September 2025. A combination of aging infrastructure, drought‑fueled hydro‑electric shortfalls and a stalled energy‑reform bill left half of Antananarivo without electricity for days. Water pumps, already marginal, sputtered out, prompting residents to line up at dwindling taps. Youth‑led groups, most notably the “Power‑Now” movement, organized nightly vigils that quickly turned into mass rallies demanding transparent governance.

President Rajoelina tried to placate the crowds by dismissing Prime Minister Christian Ntsay on 2 October, but the move was seen as a cosmetic shuffle. “A new prime minister won’t bring back the lights,” a protester named Lala Raharijaona told reporters, her voice hoarse from chanting under flickering streetlamps.

Military Mutiny: How CAPSAT Took Antananarivo

On the morning of 12 October, a convoy of armored vehicles rolled into the central barracks. Soldiers in CAPSAT fatigues formed a line outside the Ministry of Defense, chanting the same slogans that had echoed through the streets for weeks. In a brief ceremony that lasted barely ten minutes, the unit announced the appointment of General Alphonse Ravelomanana as the new army chief.

“As we have observed, it was a minister of the armed forces and also the former chief of staff who conducted the handover today. This demonstrates a genuine alternation within the military institution and proves that everything took place calmly and respectfully among the armed forces,” the newly‑installed commander said, his words recorded on a livestream that quickly went viral.

Later that day, the head of the Senate—a longtime ally of Rajoelina—was stripped of his position by a decree signed by the interim military council. In a parallel move, the civilian authorities, under pressure, accepted CAPSAT’s nominee for head of the armed forces, effectively handing the reins of the entire security apparatus to the mutineers.

Even the paramilitary Gendarmerie announced its neutrality, refusing orders from the president’s office and pledging to “protect the people, not the politicking.” The rapid, almost bloodless seizure was a stark reminder that Madagascar’s political theater still hinges on who controls the barracks.

Domestic and International Reactions

Inside Antananarivo, the streets were a mix of jubilation and anxiety. Some youths threw flowers at the armored trucks; others shouted, “No more lies, no more darkness!” Yet a quieter fear lingered—what would happen to the power grid, already on the brink?

“We cannot guarantee immediate restoration of electricity, but the military has promised to prioritize infrastructure repairs,” a spokesperson for CAPSAT told a hastily‑called press conference. Critics, however, warned that a military‑run government could sideline democratic processes for years.

Overseas, the response was swift. Air France halted all flights to Madagascar until at least 14 October, citing “unpredictable security conditions.” Emirates issued a similar suspension, while the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office advised citizens to avoid all but essential travel.

The United States embassy in Antananarivo sent an advisory urging Americans to shelter‑in‑place, describing the situation as “highly volatile and unpredictable.” Meanwhile, the African Union released a statement calling for “calm, restraint and a swift return to civilian rule.”

Impact: What This Means for Madagascar’s Future

Analysts are divided. Some see the CAPSAT move as a decisive step toward stabilizing a country crippled by chronic infrastructure failures and political infighting. “If the military can finally address the blackout crisis, they might win genuine public support,” notes Dr. Jean‑Claude Rakotomalala, a senior fellow at the Centre for African Governance.

Others fear a return to the kind of opaque, military‑backed rule that plagued Madagascar after the 2009 coup. “Power seized at the barrel of a gun rarely translates into sustainable development,” warns Sarah Whitaker of the International Crisis Group.

The immediate fallout includes halted foreign investment, a tourism slump—Madagascar’s iconic lemur tours are likely to see cancellations—and a looming humanitarian strain as NGOs scramble to distribute clean water amid the chaos.

What’s Next? Scenarios on the Horizon

In the coming weeks, three paths seem plausible:

1. Negotiated transition. CAPSAT could use its leverage to force a power‑sharing agreement, appointing a civilian caretaker government while it oversees infrastructure repairs. This would require international mediation, perhaps from the African Union or the Southern African Development Community.
2. Prolonged military rule. If the unit feels threatened by civilian opposition, it might consolidate power, suspend the constitution and set a timetable for elections—something that could extend for years.
3. Resurgence of protests. Should the blackout crisis persist, citizens may take to the streets again, this time demanding not just services but a clear timeline for a return to democracy.

One thing is clear: the fate of Madagascar now hinges on whether the military can translate its control into effective governance without igniting another wave of unrest.

Key Facts

• Date of seizure: 12 October 2025
• Andry Rajoelina, CAPSAT unit, youth protest movement “Power‑Now”.
• Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar
• International response: flight suspensions by Air France and Emirates; travel advisories from the UK and US; AU call for restraint.
• Underlying issue: nationwide power and water outages affecting over 60 % of households.