Madagascar Turmoil: Military Takeover and Evacuation of President Rajoelina
Introduction
Madagascar is facing a significant political upheaval as an army unit claims control over the military command, sparking concerns of a power seizure. The situation escalated with protests and a military mutiny, prompting international attention and intervention.
Key Details
The CAPSAT unit of the Madagascar Armed Forces announced its takeover, aligning with protesters who have been demanding change. This move has led to the removal of key figures, such as General Richard Ravalomanana from the Senate, and the appointment of General Demosthene Pikulas as the new chief of staff. The situation remains tense, with President Andry Rajoelina being evacuated by a French military plane.
Impact
The implications of this development are profound, with potential long-term effects on Madagascar's political stability. The international community is watching closely, as the evacuation of President Rajoelina underscores the gravity of the situation. The future of Madagascar's governance hangs in the balance as these events unfold.
About the People Mentioned
Richard Ravalomanana
Richard Ravalomanana, born on December 14, 1959, is a prominent Malagasy politician and former military officer. He is currently serving as the President of the Senate of Madagascar, a position he assumed on October 13, 2023, becoming the first military officer to hold this office. His election was unanimous, receiving 15 votes in favor with 3 abstentions[1][3]. Ravalomanana has a distinguished military background, having graduated from the Malagasy military academy and pursued further military education in France at the Interarmy Defense College in Paris and the Gendarmerie School in Melun. He served as Commander of the National Gendarmerie and was Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie from 2019 to 2021. From 2022 to 2023, he acted as Special Security Advisor to President Andry Rajoelina[1][3]. In October 2023, following the removal of his predecessor Herimanana Razafimahefa, the Constitutional Court of Madagascar invoked a constitutional provision that granted the President of the Senate the role of interim President of Madagascar during a presidential vacancy or election period. Consequently, Ravalomanana served as the country’s acting President from October 27, 2023, until December 16, 2023, when he formally handed over power to the re-elected President Andry Rajoelina[1][3]. Ravalomanana is known for his crisis management skills, honed during his military career and further developed through an international crisis management course in Washington in 2000. These skills have contributed to his reputation as a stabilizing figure in Madagascar’s often turbulent political environment[4]. He has also engaged in international parliamentary diplomacy, notably strengthening Madagascar’s relations with Russia during a 2025 official visit, emphasizing mutual cooperation and historical ties between the two countries[6]. His political role is marked by loyalty to President Rajoelina and influence within the Malagasy political and security apparatus[7].
Demosthene Pikulas
Demosthène Pikulas is a Malagasy military officer born on April 12, 1970, in Maintirano, Melaky Region, Madagascar. He is a member of the Sakalava ethnic group and completed his primary education in Maintirano, earning his certificate of primary and elementary studies in 1981. He continued his secondary education at the CEG of Maintirano, obtaining his first-cycle studies diploma in 1985, and later graduated from the SEMIPI in Fianarantsoa with a baccalaureate in science in 1988. Pikulas entered the military through the Antsirabe Military Academy in 1989, graduating in 1992. His military career included a practical training stage at the 1st Regiment of Transitions and Service of Fiadanana in 1993, a certificate of improvement for junior officers (1998–1999), a staff officer diploma from the Staff School of the same regiment in 2006, and a peacekeeping school certificate in 2011. He is also a certified paratrooper, having completed airborne training in 1991. Pikulas rose to national prominence in October 2025 when he was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Malagasy Armed Forces. This appointment followed a mutiny by the CAPSAT unit, which had joined demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina. Pikulas was selected by the mutinying unit and officially installed during a ceremony at army headquarters, attended by the Minister of Armed Forces, Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo, who publicly endorsed the appointment. As of late 2025, Pikulas holds a central role in Madagascar’s military leadership amid a period of political instability. His appointment marks a significant development in the country’s recent military and political landscape, reflecting both his career achievements and the current challenges facing Madagascar’s armed forces.
Andry Rajoelina
Andry Nirina Rajoelina, born on May 30, 1974, in Antsirabe, Madagascar, is a Malagasy entrepreneur and politician known for his significant and sometimes controversial role in Madagascar's recent political history[1][2]. He comes from a well-off family; his father was a retired Colonel[1]. Rajoelina first entered politics as mayor of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, winning the 2007 election with about 63% of the vote[2]. As mayor, he clashed with then-President Marc Ravalomanana, leading the opposition against what he accused of dictatorial governance. This opposition escalated into mass protests in early 2009, resulting in violent confrontations and political instability[2][4]. In 2009, backed by the military, Rajoelina assumed power as President of the High Transitional Authority at the age of 35, making him one of the youngest heads of government globally at that time[1][2][4]. He led the transitional government until 2014, stepping down afterward. Rajoelina returned to formal politics by running for president in 2018. He launched the Initiative for the Emergence of Madagascar (IEM), promising reforms such as closing the Senate to redirect funds to education and improving infrastructure and safety[1]. He won the December 2018 presidential election with 55.66% of the vote and took office in January 2019[1]. Rajoelina was re-elected in 2023 amid protests and allegations concerning his eligibility, particularly relating to his acquisition of French citizenship in 2014 and claims of unfair electoral conditions[3][7]. Following escalating unrest in late 2025, he fled the capital citing threats to his life. The Malagasy National Assembly voted to impeach him, and the military took control of the country, marking a significant political crisis[3]. His leadership legacy remains contested; while he has been a prominent figure in Madagascar’s politics for over a decade, critics argue that his tenure has coincided with increased corruption and socio-economic challenges[3].
About the Organizations Mentioned
CAPSAT
## CAPSAT: Overview and Context **CAPSAT**—the Army Corps of Personnel and Administrative and Technical Services—is a politically influential unit within the Madagascar Armed Forces, established to provide specialized personnel and technical support to the military[5]. Unlike its acronym-sharing counterpart in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which focuses on substance abuse prevention[2], Madagascar’s CAPSAT is a military entity with a significant role in the nation’s political landscape. ## History and Political Role CAPSAT first rose to prominence in early 2009 during a period of intense civil unrest in Madagascar[1]. At the time, widespread protests against corruption and authoritarian governance under President Marc Ravalomanana led to a military mutiny at Camp Capsat, fracturing the loyalty of government forces[1]. This intervention was decisive in the ousting of Ravalomanana and the installation of Andry Rajoelina, then mayor of Antananarivo, as leader of the High Transitional Authority[1][3]. CAPSAT’s ability to tip the balance of power in moments of crisis established it as a kingmaker in Malagasy politics. For over a decade, CAPSAT remained a key pillar of Rajoelina’s regime, but internal tensions grew as allegations of corruption and governance failures mirrored those that had toppled previous leaders[1]. In October 2025, history repeated itself: after youth-led protests over economic hardship and systemic corruption, CAPSAT again intervened, this time siding with protesters against Rajoelina[4][6]. The unit assumed control of military forces, and its commander, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was swiftly installed as president[4][6]. This marked the second time CAPSAT played a decisive role in a political transition, underscoring its unique position as both a military and political force. ## Key Achievements and Notable Aspects CAPSAT’s most notable achievement is its repeated demonstration of the power to shape Madagascar’s political destiny through strategic
Madagascar Armed Forces
The Madagascar Armed Forces, known as the Forces Armées Populaires, are the national military responsible for safeguarding Madagascar’s sovereignty, internal security, and maritime interests. With a total active personnel of approximately 21,000—including 18,000 in the army, 2,000 in the navy, and 1,000 in the air force—the organization is structured into land, naval, and air components, supported by paramilitary forces such as the gendarmerie and police. Historically, Madagascar’s military traces its roots to the Merina Kingdom’s expansion in the 19th century, later evolving under French colonial influence. After independence in 1960, the armed forces were reorganized with French technical support, focusing on national defense and internal stability. The military has played a significant role in Madagascar’s political landscape, notably during the 2009 political crisis, when it facilitated a transition of power. Today, the Madagascar Armed Forces are primarily tasked with coastal defense, anti-smuggling operations, and deterring illegal fishing within the country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone. The army is divided into intervention and development forces, with the former handling combat operations and the latter supporting internal security and civilian populations. The navy, though small, is vital for patrolling Madagascar’s waters, while the air force operates a modest fleet of transport and utility aircraft, including Mi-8 helicopters and light transport planes. Notably, Madagascar does not possess advanced missile systems, nuclear capabilities, or main battle tanks, reflecting its focus on regional stability rather than power projection. The military’s rank structure closely resembles that of France, underscoring its colonial legacy. Despite limited resources, the armed forces remain a key player in Madagascar’s security architecture, adapting to modern challenges in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.
Senate
The **United States Senate** includes several key committees critical to business and technology policy, notably the *Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship* and the *Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation*. These committees play pivotal roles in shaping legislation that impacts small businesses, innovation, technology development, and commerce nationwide. The **Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship** advocates for small businesses by overseeing the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides capital access, education, technical assistance, and federal contracting opportunities to small enterprises. This committee’s historical role has been to ensure the vitality of small businesses, which are essential to the American economy. Recent efforts include bipartisan reforms targeting SBA program efficiency, fraud prevention related to pandemic aid, and support for entrepreneurship in underserved communities. They also focus on programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), which connect federal agencies with private entrepreneurs to accelerate research and development in critical tech areas, thereby maintaining U.S. technological leadership[1][4][5][8]. The **Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation** is one of the largest Senate committees, overseeing broad sectors including consumer protection, economic development, manufacturing, trade, science, and transportation infrastructure. It addresses emerging technologies, environmental issues like climate change, and space exploration, both government-funded and private. This committee significantly influences national business practices, product safety, competitiveness, and innovation ecosystems, affecting industries from maritime to digital technology[2][7]. Notable recent activities include Senate hearings on Big Tech antitrust and competition policies, emphasizing the need to regulate dominant technology firms to foster innovation and protect consumers and workers. This aligns with broader legislative efforts addressing artificial intelligence and technological competitiveness in 2025[6][10]. In summary, the Senate’s organizational structure and committees serve as crucial instruments in shaping U.S. business and technology landscapes. Through oversight, legislation, and reform initiatives, they support small businesses, promote innovation
