Madagascar has plunged into political chaos as the military seized control from the civilian government on Tuesday, following weeks of escalating protests led by young citizens. President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country for his safety, was ousted amid widespread dissatisfaction with chronic power and water shortages, persistent poverty, and alleged government corruption. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT military unit, announced the takeover, declaring, ‘We are taking power,’ as demonstrators celebrated alongside soldiers in the capital, Antananarivo. Rajoelina’s office condemned the coup as a ‘serious breach of the rule of law,’ but the military’s decisive action has shifted the balance of power. The protests, spearheaded by a group calling itself ‘Gen Z Madagascar,’ were inspired by recent youth uprisings in Nepal and Sri Lanka. The movement gained momentum when CAPSAT troops joined the demonstrators last weekend, clashing with security forces loyal to Rajoelina. The president’s attempts to reassert authority, including dissolving parliament, were ignored as lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to impeach him. The military has since announced plans to form a council to appoint a prime minister and establish a civilian government. Meanwhile, reports suggest France aided Rajoelina’s escape, raising questions about its involvement in the crisis. The former French colony, known for its biodiversity and vanilla production, continues to grapple with political instability and poverty, a legacy of its colonial past.