A mutinous army unit declared on Sunday that it was taking command of all Malagasy military forces, escalating a political crisis as President Andry Rajoelina warned of an illegal attempt to seize power.
The dramatic announcement came from the CAPSAT contingent, a unit of administrative and technical officers, which released a video statement asserting its new authority.
“From now on, all orders of the Malagasy army – whether land, air, or the navy – will originate from CAPSAT headquarters,” the officers declared.
The move marks a significant escalation in the anti-government protest movement that has gripped the island nation for over two weeks. The crisis intensified on Saturday when CAPSAT soldiers clashed with gendarmes outside a barracks before riding army vehicles into the heart of Antananarivo to join thousands of protesters.
The unit’s alignment with the demonstrators represents a major shift, with soldiers being welcomed by jubilant crowds calling for Rajoelina’s resignation.
Conflicting Claims and Rising Death Toll
The political turmoil has been accompanied by violence and conflicting accounts of the casualties. The United Nations reported at least 22 deaths in the early days of protests that began on September 25, attributing some to security forces and others to violence from criminal gangs and looters.
President Rajoelina has disputed these figures, claiming last week there were “12 confirmed deaths and all of these individuals were looters and vandals.” However, according to local media, emergency services reported two additional deaths and 26 injuries on Saturday alone. The CAPSAT unit claimed one of their soldiers was shot and killed by gendarmes.
Constitutional Crisis and Calls for Dialogue
In response to the military rebellion, President Rajoelina released a statement Sunday describing “an attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and to democratic principles.”
He emphasized that “dialogue is the only way forward and the only solution to the crisis currently facing the country,” while calling for national unity.
The president’s office assured the public Sunday night that Rajoelina remained “in the country” and was continuing to manage national affairs. The newly appointed prime minister stated the government was “standing strong” and “ready to collaborate and listen.”
Gendarmerie Admits “Faults and Excesses”
In a surprising development, the gendarmerie office released its own video statement Sunday acknowledging “faults and excesses during our interventions.” The statement called for “fraternity” between the army and gendarmes, asserting “we are here to protect, not to terrorise.”
However, in a direct challenge to CAPSAT’s claim of authority, the gendarmerie added that “from now on, all orders will come solely” from their headquarters.
Historical Parallels and Public Anger
The CAPSAT contingent is based in the Soanierana district, the same military base that led a mutiny during the 2009 popular uprising that originally brought Rajoelina to power.
Saturday’s demonstration in the capital was one of the largest since the protest movement began, fueled primarily by public anger over persistent power and water shortages that have crippled daily life.
As of Sunday evening, there was no immediate response from other military units or the central military command regarding CAPSAT’s declaration of authority. The situation remains fluid, with the nation watching to see whether the standoff will be resolved through dialogue or descend further into military confrontation.
