Sawt Falasteen - Madagascar enters military rule after colonel seizes power

The poor Indian Ocean nation was plunged into its worst political upheaval in years after the CAPSAT military contingent assumed power moments after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who appeared to have fled the country as street protests escalated.

It becomes the latest former French colony to fall under military control since 2020, joining coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea.

CAPSAT commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina, confirmed as president by the top court, said the transition to civilian leadership would take under two years and include the restructuring of major institutions.

Randrianirina, expected to be sworn in within days, pledged elections in 18 to 24 months and told local media on Wednesday consultations were under way to appoint a prime minister and form a new government.

The transition would be overseen by a committee of officers from the army, gendarmerie and police.

Randrianirina had long been a vocal critic of Rajoelina's administration and was reportedly imprisoned for several months from November 2023 for inciting military mutiny with a view to a coup.

The swift takeover has drawn concern from abroad, with France, Germany, Russia and other international partners urging restraint.

"It is now essential that democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law be scrupulously upheld," Paris said in a statement, adding: "These principles are non-negotiable."

All actors need to "act with caution in this currently somewhat confusing situation," a spokesman for the German foreign ministry said, while Russia called for "exercising restraint and preventing bloodshed."

The security body of regional SADC grouping -- of which Rajoelina was holding the rotating presidency -- and the United Nations have also expressed concern.

"The military leaders who have seized power should respect and protect the rights of all Malagasy people," the Human Rights Watch said.

- 'Victory gave hope' -

The capital Antananarivo remained calm Wednesday, though uncertainty lingered over what might come next.

The youth-led Gen Z movement that initiated the protests on September 25 over lack of water and energy before they later swelled into broader anger at the political elite have welcomed the intervention of Randrianirina.

The colonel had said he is "ready to talk to the youth and we are ready to answer the call," Gen Z said in a post on Facebook, reiterating its calls for "systemic change".

"We're worried about what comes next, but we're savouring this first victory that gave us hope," 26-year-old Fenitra Razafindramanga, captain of Madagascar's national rugby team, told AFP.

In the northern city of Antsiranana, an entrepreneur who identified herself only as Muriella was relieved that Rajoelina was no longer in power.

"It feels like we've just been released from prison," she told AFP, adding: "This is also a message to his successor: learn from this and don't make the same mistakes."

The presidency, however, denounced what it called "a clear act of attempted coup" and insisted that Rajoelina -- whose whereabouts remained unknown and who was last seen in public a week ago -- "remains fully in office."

It said on Wednesday the constitutional court's decision was riddled with procedural illegalities and risked destabilising the country.

"This decision, tainted by multiple defects in both substance and form, is illegal, irregular, and unconstitutional," it said.

Rajoelina, re-elected in disputed polls in 2023, came to power in a 2009 military-backed coup that was denounced by the international community which froze foreign aid and investment for nearly four years.

He resisted mounting calls to step down, saying in a national address from an unknown location on Monday that he was seeking solutions to Madagascar's problems.

Amid reports that he had been helped to leave with assistance from France, the former colonial power, he said he was in a "safe place to protect my life".

K.AbuTaha--SF-PST