Military Takes Power In Madagascar. Demonstration Of Consequences Of Questionable Civilian Governments In Africa

Military has taken power in Madagascar, reported some media on October 14, 2025. The military coup came about 24 hours after the country's President Andry Rajoelina fled onboard a French military plane to an unknown place, reportedly saying that he feared for his life.

The military's elite unit, CAPSAT, is said to have taken control of the whole military hence behind the coup, and has named Colonel Michael Randrianirina as the interim president of Madagascar.

Military takes power in Madagascar. Demonstration of consequences of questionable civilian governments in Africa

The military coup in Madagascar follows weeks of youth-led anti-government protests that commenced in the capital Antananarivo on September 25, 2025, over shortages of electricity and water, and some other governance issues that include chronic corruption in the public sector, and unemployment, among others. As such, the young protesters coordinated online by a leaderless youth group called Gen Z Madagascar demanded President Andry Rajoelina to go and total overhaul of the country's political system. The protests got incredible momentum and status after CAPSAT troops joined and supported the uncompromising youths.

Whether the youths will accept the new interim leadership under CAPSAT is currently unknown.

What happened in Madagascar is not new in Africa in recent years. It demonstrates the possible consequences of having questionable civilian governments or to put it bluntly bad civilian governments, that is common place in the continent. Such governments include those that albeit may be elected, fail miserably to perform satisfactorily in terms of delivering economic and social progress, and justice. They also include authoritarian governments that suppress opposition politicians and critics, as well as abuse judicial systems and resort to electoral fraud in order to stay in power and particularly safeguard individual interests of ruling elites. Suppression may be so powerful and dangerous that ordinary citizens are unable to bring change in affected countries without help from some security forces like the military. Military coups in such circumstances may therefore be inevitable, vital, and justifiable because they serve public interest.

Other relevant examples similar to that of what happened in Madagascar include recent military take overs in Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, among others. In all these countries, the military coups have received massive support from the populaces, and are very likely to bring great positive political, economic, and social changes in the countries.

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