In a dramatic turn of events that has reverberated across the African continent, the African Union (AU) has officially suspended Madagascar's membership following a swift military coup that ousted long-serving President Andry Rajoelina from power. The suspension, announced on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, came mere hours after the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the takeover as an "unconstitutional change of government." This action freezes Madagascar's participation in all AU activities with immediate effect, underscoring the regional body's zero-tolerance policy toward coups d'état.
At the helm of the island nation's new leadership is Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a seasoned commander of the elite Counter-Terrorism Special Action Group (CAPSAT). In a televised address from Antananarivo, the capital, Randrianirina declared that he would be sworn in as interim president imminently, following an invitation from the country's Constitutional Court. "We took responsibility yesterday," the colonel stated firmly to a gathering of journalists, his voice steady amid the chaos. "To restore order and stability, we will be sworn in soon. This is not the end of democracy but a necessary pause to rebuild it."
The coup's roots trace back to weeks of explosive, youth-led demonstrations known as the "Gen Z protests," which have gripped Madagascar since early September. What began as scattered rallies against rampant corruption and crippling economic woes has snowballed into the largest uprising in the nation's modern history. Thousands of young Malagasy, primarily from Generation Z—those aged 18 to 24—flooded the streets of Antananarivo and other major cities like Toamasina and Fianarantsoa. Waving placards emblazoned with slogans such as "Rajoelina Must Go" and "No More Corruption," the protesters decried a government they accused of embezzling billions in foreign aid while over 80% of the population languished in poverty.
Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island with a population of approximately 30 million, has long been a tinderbox of political instability. Once a French colony, it gained independence in 1960 but has since endured a litany of coups, ethnic tensions, and natural disasters. Rajoelina, a former DJ turned politician, first seized power in a 2009 coup and was democratically elected in 2018 and 2023. His tenure, however, has been marred by scandals. Allegations of nepotism, including awarding lucrative contracts to family members for vanilla exports—Madagascar produces 80% of the world's supply—fueled public outrage. The economy, heavily reliant on agriculture and tourism, contracted by 5.2% in 2024 due to cyclone damage and global vanilla price crashes, pushing inflation to 12% and unemployment among youth to 45%.
The Gen Z protests erupted on September 20 after a leaked audit revealed that $150 million in COVID-19 relief funds had vanished into offshore accounts linked to Rajoelina's inner circle. Social media platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp amplified the movement, with viral videos of emaciated children and pothole-riddled roads garnering millions of views. "We are the generation that will not starve in silence," tweeted protest leader, 22-year-old student activist Lala Rakoto, whose hashtag #MadagascarRevolts trended globally.
By October 10, the demonstrations had paralyzed Antananarivo. Barricades of burning tires blocked major avenues, and clashes with riot police left over 200 injured. The turning point came over the weekend of October 11-12, when key military units defected. Soldiers from the CAPSAT, trained in counter-insurgency by French and U.S. forces, refused orders to fire on crowds. "We saw our brothers and sisters dying for corrupt leaders," one anonymous sergeant told Reuters. "The army stands with the people."
President Rajoelina, sensing the tide turning, fled to an undisclosed location abroad—rumors point to Réunion Island, a French overseas department just 400 kilometers east. From exile, he issued a defiant statement on Tuesday, October 14: "My so-called removal is null and void. The impeachment by lawmakers is a farce orchestrated by traitors. I remain the legitimate president of Madagascar." His ouster was formalized that same day when the lower house of parliament, in an emergency session, voted 112-23 to impeach him on charges of high treason and economic sabotage.
The military's formal intervention followed swiftly. On Tuesday evening, Colonel Randrianirina appeared on national television, flanked by armored vehicles and loyal troops. "In light of the constitutional crisis and to prevent total anarchy, the armed forces have dissolved all state institutions except the National Assembly," he announced. "A transitional government will oversee a two-year period leading to free and fair elections." Randrianirina, 48, a graduate of Madagascar's military academy and veteran of anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast, positioned himself as a reluctant savior. "This is not ambition; it is duty," he emphasized.
The African Union's response was swift and unequivocal. Convening an emergency session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Peace and Security Council invoked Article 7 of the AU Charter, which mandates suspension for any member state undergoing an unconstitutional change of government. Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, from Djibouti, addressed the council with gravitas: "The AU maintains an unwavering respect for constitutional order and peaceful resolution of disputes. The rule of law must prevail over the rule of force. Our approach is grounded in law and dialogue." Youssouf warned that the suspension would lift only upon restoration of constitutional rule, echoing similar actions against Mali in 2020 and Sudan in 2021.
This is not the AU's first brush with Madagascar's volatility. In 2009, Rajoelina's own coup led to a year-long suspension, which he lifted only after elections. Regional analysts, however, see this as a watershed moment. "The Gen Z protests represent a seismic shift," says Dr. Elena Andrianarisoa, a political scientist at the University of Antananarivo. "Unlike past movements led by elders or unions, this is digital, decentralized, and demands systemic change—not just a new face."
Internationally, reactions poured in. France, Madagascar's former colonial power and largest donor, expressed "deep concern" and called for dialogue. The United States, through State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, urged "all parties to refrain from violence" while hinting at sanctions. China, which has invested $2 billion in Malagasy infrastructure, remained neutral, emphasizing "stability for development." The Southern African Development Community (SADC), of which Madagascar is a member, scheduled mediation talks for October 20 in Johannesburg.
On the ground in Antananarivo, life is a fragile calm. Markets reopened Wednesday, but schools remain shuttered, and fuel shortages persist. Protesters, jubilant yet wary, gathered at the iconic Analakely Market. "We've won the battle, but the war for justice continues," said 19-year-old demonstrator Tiana Razafy, holding a faded Malagasy flag. Human rights groups report 15 deaths since protests began, including five from military-police clashes.
Colonel Randrianirina's transition plan outlines priorities: anti-corruption purges, economic reforms, and youth inclusion in governance. A 30-member transitional council, including Gen Z representatives, will draft a new constitution. Yet challenges loom large. Ethnic divisions between the highland Merina people (Rajoelina's base) and coastal groups could fracture unity. Cyclone season approaches, threatening food security for 2 million vulnerable citizens. And whispers of counter-coups from Rajoelina loyalists in the north add tension.
As the sun set over the Indian Ocean on October 15, Randrianarivo's swearing-in loomed like a double-edged sword. For a nation born of revolution, this coup—sparked by the digital savvy of its youngest generation—could herald renewal or descend into familiar chaos. The AU's suspension serves as both punishment and prod: restore democracy, or face isolation. In the words of Youssouf, "Africa's future depends on our fidelity to the ballot over the bullet."
Madagascar's story is Africa's mirror—youth unrest, elite capture, military meddling. Will the Gen Z flame forge a new dawn, or flicker out in division? Only time, and the vigilance of 30 million Malagasy, will tell.
