Madagascar Army Unit Sides with Anti-Government Protesters

Madagascar's political crisis deepened on Sunday as the army unit CAPSAT declared it would "refuse orders to shoot" on demonstrators and installed a new military chief, General Demosthene Pikulas, in a move opposing President Andry Rajoelina's government. The protests, which started over two weeks ago, have resulted in at least 22 deaths, according to the United Nations, and calls for Rajoelina to resign have become a central demand of the demonstrators.

Key Takeaways:

• CAPSAT, a Madagascar army unit, has sided with anti-government protesters, declaring it will "refuse orders to shoot" on demonstrators and installing a new military chief, General Demosthene Pikulas, on Sunday.
• The protests, which started over two weeks ago on September 25, have resulted in at least 22 deaths, according to the United Nations.
• CAPSAT Colonel Michael Randrianirina stated that the unit's decision to join protesters did not amount to a coup, saying "We answered the people's calls, but it wasn't a coup d'etat."
• President Andry Rajoelina has disputed the death toll, saying there were "12 confirmed deaths and all of these individuals were looters and vandals."
• Rajoelina's government has been accused of heavy-handed tactics against protesters, leading to calls for the president's resignation and the sacking of his entire government.
• The United Nations, African Union, and South Africa have expressed deep concern over the situation and called for dialogue and restraint.

Statistics:

• At least 22 people have died in the anti-government demonstrations, according to the United Nations.
• Nearly three-quarters of Madagascar's population of 32 million lived below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank.
• Protests started on September 25 and have continued for over two weeks.
• A total of 13 people were killed in the first days of the protests, with some by security forces and others in violence sparked by criminal gangs and looters.
• President Andry Rajoelina disputed the death toll, saying there were "12 confirmed deaths and all of these individuals were looters and vandals."

Sources:

• "An attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and to democratic principles, is currently under way," said President Andry Rajoelina in a statement.
• CAPSAT Colonel Michael Randrianirina told reporters that "We answered the people's calls, but it wasn't a coup d'etat."
• According to the World Bank, nearly three-quarters of Madagascar's population of 32 million lived below the poverty line in 2022.
• The United Nations has reported at least 22 deaths in the anti-government demonstrations.