Madagascar President Sounds Alarm on Attempt to Seize Power Amid Ongoing Protests

Madagascar President Warns of Attempt to 'Seize Power': What to Know The presidency of Madagascar warned on Sunday that an attempt to seize power is underway, a day after soldiers from the elite military unit CAPSAT joined a youth-led protest against the government. The statement by President Andry Rajoelina's office did not identify who was behind the alleged coup attempt. According to the statement, "the extreme gravity of this situation" prompted the president to condemn the attempt at destabilization and call upon all forces of the nation to unite in defense of constitutional order and national sovereignty. The presidency urged citizens to remain calm and assured that measures are being taken to maintain public order. Members of CAPSAT, which was instrumental in installing Rajoelina in power, claimed on Sunday that they have taken control of the armed forces after three weeks of deadly protests by Gen Z activists. "From now on, all orders of the Malagasy army, whether land, air or naval, will originate from CAPSAT headquarters," said officers from CAPSAT's administrative and technical contingent. The nationwide youth-led protests began as a campaign against frequent power outages and water shortages but have since escalated into demands for greater government accountability and economic reforms. The protests have resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people and injuries to hundreds more, according to reports. Rajoelina's presidency has been marked by controversy, with critics accusing him of authoritarian tendencies and mishandling the country's economy. His office has denied these allegations, citing progress made in infrastructure development and poverty reduction. The situation on the ground remains tense, with protesters continuing to demand greater reforms and government accountability. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, with several countries urging restraint from all parties involved. As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear who is behind the alleged coup attempt or what their ultimate goals are. However, one thing is certain: the fate of Madagascar's fragile democracy hangs in the balance. Background: Madagascar has been plagued by power outages and water shortages for months, sparking widespread discontent among citizens. The protests began as a peaceful campaign but have since turned violent, with protesters clashing with security forces on several occasions. The involvement of CAPSAT, a unit known for its loyalty to Rajoelina, has raised concerns about the president's intentions and the potential for further violence. Additional Perspectives: Analysts say that the situation in Madagascar is a classic case of a government facing mounting pressure from an increasingly frustrated population. "The protests are not just about power outages and water shortages; they're about a broader sense of disillusionment with the government's ability to deliver basic services," said Dr. Jean-Luc Racine, a Madagascar expert at the University of Paris. Others argue that Rajoelina's presidency is facing an existential crisis. "The president's popularity has been waning for months, and this latest development may be the final straw," said a local analyst who wished to remain anonymous. Current Status: As the situation continues to unfold, citizens are advised to remain calm and follow official instructions from the authorities. The international community is urging restraint from all parties involved, with several countries offering support to Madagascar in its time of need. Next Developments: The presidency has promised to take measures to address the underlying issues driving the protests, including power outages and water shortages. However, it remains unclear what these measures will entail or whether they will be enough to quell the unrest. As the situation continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the fate of Madagascar's fragile democracy hangs in the balance. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*