A military coup took place in Madagascar. What you need to know

A group of military personnel led by Colonel Michael Randrianirin, who sided with the protesting youth in Madagascar, announced that they were taking control of the country. They abolished all existing state authorities. The Supreme Court of Madagascar has invited Randrianirin to lead the country's leadership. The official head of Madagascar left the country the day before. What is the reason for the coup and what it can lead to — in the material of Izvestia.

Why did the coup happen

• On September 25, youth protests began due to dissatisfaction with the constant shortage of electricity and interruptions in water supply. Later, they developed into a broader revolt against social inequality, corruption, economic decline, and frequent but unrealized promises of change.

• Since the end of September, opponents of the President of Madagascar, Andri Radzuellina, after a series of street clashes and the installation of barricades, have changed tactics and tried to paralyze the work of government agencies. Activists of the Generation Z association, which led the protest movement, together with trade union representatives toured government offices, convincing employees to temporarily stop performing their duties.

• Thousands of young people in Antananarivo demanded the immediate resignation of President Radzuela, chanting slogans and demanding that he resign here and now. However, when asked what should replace him, most admitted that they did not know who could replace him. They only insisted that the new leader should serve the interests of the people, not his own.

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• On October 13, the head of state stated on social media that some representatives of the army had threatened him with physical violence, which forced him to seek asylum in another country. However, he stressed that he continues to serve as president and intends to lead the country remotely. Members of the Southern African Development Community offered military support, but Radzuelina declined, stressing his commitment to a peaceful settlement. He expressed concern that international donors may suspend the allocation of the previously promised $100 million in financial assistance.

• Against the background of growing instability, a change in the leadership of the country's police took place on the eve. The post of chief passed to divisional Commissioner Jean-Victor Tsaramunina. He immediately announced that the police department supports the Generation Z protest movement, specifying that his candidacy for the post of police chief was proposed by the trade union.

• Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced the seizure of power and the dissolution of the country's governing bodies. The country's Supreme Court invited him to become president. Previously, he held a post in the command of the Madagascar Army Personnel Management Corps. This organization is responsible for making proposals for appointments to senior military positions. It was this authority that in 2009 played a key role in the coming to power of Andri Radzuellina, who at that time led the opposition and opposed President Marc Ravalomanana, who now continues to work in opposition circles.

Consequences of the coup

Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries in the world. More than 70% of Madagascar's population lives below the poverty line. Most of the employed work in agriculture, where incomes are low and unstable, especially due to frequent droughts and cyclones. The economy is growing at about 4% per year, but this is not enough to quickly reduce poverty and improve the quality of life. The government's budget deficit and trade deficit are growing, which limits the government's ability to effectively invest in social programs and infrastructure.

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• France, historically associated with the island and interested in rare earth metal deposits, has not yet been in a hurry to intervene directly. However, a coup could lead to disruptions in the extraction and supply of natural resources, which could cause global economic problems, especially in industries dependent on rare earths, in which case Western countries would probably be forced to intervene. In addition, the coup could exacerbate economic uncertainty and increase fear among external creditors.

A series of coups

This is not the first political crisis in Madagascar. Madagascar's first major political upheaval occurred in 1972, when mass student protests against President Philippe Cyranana escalated into violent clashes. Under pressure from the army and the public, Tsiranana handed over power to General Gabriel Ramanantsua, which ended the era of the First Republic. The second crisis broke out in 1991, amid mass protests against Didier Ratsiraki, accused of corruption and authoritarianism. After bloody clashes, the President agreed to the creation of a transitional government and constitutional reforms that marked the beginning of the Third Republic.

• A new wave of instability swept the country in 2001 after the disputed election results, when Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana both declared themselves winners. The conflict resulted in a long standoff, which ended with the flight of Ratsiraki and the rise to power of Ravalomanana. In 2009, he himself was overthrown as a result of an uprising led by the mayor of the capital, Andri Radzuellina. This coup provoked international isolation and worsened the economic crisis, the consequences of which are still affecting the country.