Madagascar

Madagascar Coup: Gen Z Leaders Uneasy As Army Seizes Power

October 19, 2025 1:29 pm

When Colonel Michael Randrianirina seized power in Madagascar last week, he promised stability after weeks of youth-led protests that toppled President Andry Rajoelina. Yet for many of the young activists who ignited the uprising, the sudden military takeover feels like a betrayal of their movement’s call for genuine change.

“We were fighting for system change, not to replace one president with another,” said Olivia Rafetison, leader of the Movement Gen Z Collective, a coalition of protest groups that rallied thousands of young Malagasies across Antananarivo.

Earlier this month, what began as demonstrations over chronic electricity and water shortages swelled into …

Military Ruler Randrianirina To Be Sworn In As President

October 15, 2025 11:41 am

Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced on Wednesday that he will soon be sworn in as president of Madagascar, following a military takeover that removed President Andry Rajoelina from power.

Rajoelina, who was impeached by parliament after escaping the country over the weekend, has rejected the coup, refused to step down, and condemned the takeover

Randrianirina told a press briefing that the military had taken control and dissolved all institutions except the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament). “We will be sworn in soon,” he said, adding, “We took responsibility yesterday.”

The High Constitutional Court has formally invited him …

Madagascar Military Takeover As President Rajoelina Flees

October 14, 2025 11:22 am

Madagascar’s military declared control of the Island country on Tuesday after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country during a standoff with protesters and mutinous soldiers.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who led the mutiny, announced on national radio that the armed forces had “taken power” and dissolved all state institutions except the National Assembly. His statement came minutes after lawmakers voted to impeach Rajoelina, whose attempts to dissolve parliament by decree earlier in the day triggered a constitutional showdown.

Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft after losing control of the security forces. He later said he had relocated …

Madagascar President To Address Nation Amid Military Unrest

October 13, 2025 7:10 am

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina is set to address the nation on Monday evening, his office announced, following reports that officers supporting youth-led protests have seized control of the country’s paramilitary gendarmerie. The statement, posted on the presidency’s official Facebook page, comes amid the most serious challenge to his leadership since his re-election in 2023.

The president’s whereabouts remain unclear, even though he said he was still in the country. But he warned on Sunday of what he described as an “attempted power grab” after elements of the military began siding with demonstrators demanding political change. The planned address is expected …

Madagascar’s Leader Names General Amid Mass Protests

October 7, 2025 7:58 am

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has appointed an army general as his new prime minister, in what appears to be a last-ditch attempt to quell the youth-led demonstrations that have shaken his government for nearly two weeks.

In a late-night address from the presidential palace on Monday, Rajoelina announced the appointment of Divisional General Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo, promising a “clean, fast-working” administration ready to “save Madagascar.”

But on the streets of Antananarivo, the capital, anger shows no sign of cooling. Hundreds of young protesters — many mobilized through social media — once again marched toward the city center, only to …

Madagascar Fires Energy Minister After Deadly Power Protests

September 30, 2025 11:24 pm

Madagascar—At least five killed as demonstrations over blackouts and water shortages shake Antananarivo, which led to the sack of the Power Minister.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has dismissed his energy minister following days of unrest over crippling power cuts and water shortages that have left the capital on edge and claimed at least five lives.

The announcement came Friday, just 24 hours after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up crowds in Antananarivo, where protesters had set fire to shops, banks, and government supporters’ homes. Authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew to contain the violence, which has …

Madagascar President Dissolves Govt After Deadly Youth Protests

September 30, 2025 11:50 am

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has dissolved his government following days of mass protests over worsening power and water shortages, unrest that has left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 others injured, according to the United Nations.

The demonstrations, led largely by young people in the capital Antananarivo, erupted last week as frustrations boiled over at deteriorating living conditions. By Monday, the rallies had grown into the most serious challenge to Rajoelina’s rule since his re-election in 2023 — and the largest wave of unrest the island nation has faced in years.

Crowds gathered at the city’s main …

Madagascar’s COVID-19 Cases Spike Despite Herbal Drink

July 23, 2020 4:46 am

Cracks are appearing in Madagascar’s government after its health minister requested international help to cope with a surge in COVID-19 cases.

And this is despite an official campaign to promote a touted fix for the virus, the herbal drink called COVID-ORGANICS.

The government has been distributing the herbal drink that President Andry Rajoelina has proclaimed as a cure for coronavirus and protection against it, despite warnings the brew has not been clinically tested.

Hospital officials in the capital Antananarivo have said they are running out of beds as infections have surged in recent days.

On Wednesday, the country reported 614 …

Madagascar Bills Nigeria €170,000 For COVID-Organics

May 18, 2020 10:41 am

Contrary to wide impressions, Madagascar is not playing Father Christmas with its COVID-Organics herbal drink.

According to reports, the island nation has asked Nigeria to pay 170,000 Euros for the consignment delivered by Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

Embalo, who visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Saturday, brought the drugs allocated to Nigeria.

President Buhari said Nigeria would take the drug through intensive test to determine its suitability.