Madagascar’s military has taken control of the African island nation, according to Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who announced the move on national radio. The development comes after a rising protest movement, led by Gen Z, peaked over the weekend, prompting President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country. The president had earlier dissolved the National Assembly in an apparent attempt to block an impeachment vote, but lawmakers proceeded with the vote, with 130 members voting in favor of impeachment, exceeding the required two-thirds threshold.

The military has dissolved all institutions except the lower house of parliament, with Randrianirina stating that the elite military unit, CAPSAT, would set up a committee comprising officers from the army, paramilitary gendarmerie, and national police to carry out the work of the presidency. The committee may include senior civilian advisers in the future. A civilian government is expected to be established after a few days, with a prime minister to be appointed shortly.

The presidency has denounced the military takeover as an “attempted coup,” emphasizing that Rajoelina remains the president of the country. However, the High Constitutional Court has announced that the president’s post is now vacant, inviting the military to exercise the functions of the head of state.

The protest movement, which began on September 25, initially focused on power and water shortages but later called for Rajoelina and other government ministers to step down. The CAPSAT unit, which played a pivotal role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power, joined the protests over the weekend. The military’s involvement has drawn further protests from civil servants and trade unionists.

The situation in Madagascar remains uncertain, with the military’s next steps and the fate of the civilian government hanging in the balance. The international community is likely to be watching the developments closely, given the country’s history of political instability. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the military’s takeover will impact the country’s future and the prospects for democratic governance.