After Nepal, Bangladesh, another coup-like crisis erupts in India’s neighbourhood, mutiny in the army, unrest intensifies, name of the country is…

On Saturday, there was a clash between police personnel and soldiers of the CAPSAT unit outside a barracks, after which they joined protesters in the city demanding the president's resignation.

New Delhi: In a major development, a rebel military unit in Madagascar on Sunday announced that it has taken control of the country’s army. President Andry Rajoelina released a statement where he informed that there is an attempt to seize power illegally and by force. He described dialogue and unity as the only way forward. This statement came a day after some soldiers joined the protests that began last month. Madagascar has close ties with India, and a coup in the country could increase concerns for India as well. These protests began on September 25 and represent the most serious challenge to Rajoelina’s rule since he won re-election in 2023.

Soldiers from the CAPSAT unit, which had helped President Andry Rajoelina seize power in the 2009 coup, urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and support the youth-led protests.

Rebel officials said in a video statement, “From now on, all orders of the Malagasy army—land, air, or navy—will be issued from the CAPSAT headquarters.” On Saturday, the group joined thousands of protesters in the capital, Antananarivo, marking a significant turning point in the anti-government demonstrations that had been ongoing for more than two weeks.

Here are some of the key details:

• On Saturday, there was a clash between police personnel and soldiers of the CAPSAT unit outside a barracks, after which they joined protesters in the city demanding the president’s resignation.
• Later, the police acknowledged “mistakes and excesses” during their operations and called for cooperation among security forces.
• The CAPSAT group is a body composed of administrative and technical officials from Madagascar.
• CAPSAT officials had previously refused to follow orders to fire on protesters and had criticized the police for excessive use of force, which had resulted in multiple deaths.

On Sunday, the president issued a statement saying, “Contrary to the constitution and democratic principles, an illegal and forceful attempt to seize power is currently underway.” He further stated, “The only solution to the current crisis facing the country, and the only way forward, is through dialogue.”