Popular Movements and Tension in Madagascar, CAPSAT in Command

Disrupted for several months by a wave of anti-government protests, CAPSAT, a specialized unit of the Malagasy army, announced that it has now taken control of the army, following the acceleration of popular movements against President Andry Rajoelina, who denounces an illegal attempt to seize power.

Based in the Soanierana district, not far from the outskirts of the Malagasy capital, Antananarivo, CAPSAT, the Army Corps of Administrative and Technical Personnel and Services, recently called for disobedience within the army, announcing that all orders for the Malagasy army, land, air, and sea, will come from CAPSAT's general headquarters.

In a viral video, the special contingent indicated that it had appointed General Démosthène Pikulas to head the Malagasy army.

It should be noted that this position had been vacant since the appointment of the minister in charge of the armed forces.