Madagascar president warns of attempted coup after soldiers join protests

Madagascar‘s presidency said on Sunday that “an attempted illegal and forcible seizure of power” was underway in the African nation, without providing details.

ANTANANARIVO — Madagascar‘s presidency said on Sunday that “an attempted illegal and forcible seizure of power” was underway in the African nation, without providing details, a day after some soldiers joined a protest movement that had begun last month.

Troops from the elite CAPSAT unit that helped President Andry Rajoelina seize power in a 2009 coup, urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and back the youth-led protests, which began on September 25 and pose the most serious challenge to Rajoelina’s rule since his reelection in 2023.

A Reuters witness saw three people injured after shots were fired along a road to the CAPSAT barracks on Sunday. Other witnesses said there was no sign of ongoing clashes.

Rival forces claimed on Sunday to have command over security operations in the country, with one group — representing the CAPSAT soldiers — saying it would coordinate all branches of the military from its base on the outskirts of Antananarivo.

Spokespeople for the defence ministry and the military general staff declined to comment.