UN Condemns Madagascar Coup, Calls for Constitutional Order

The United Nations has condemned Madagascar’s military takeover, urging the immediate restoration of constitutional order following last week’s ouster of President Andry Rajoelina.

“The Secretary-General condemns the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and calls for the return to constitutional order and the rule of law,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that the UN stood ready to support national efforts “towards the attainment of that goal,” in collaboration with regional partners including the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The Secretary-General also urged all Malagasy stakeholders — “including the youth” — to work together to address the root causes of instability in the country, which has faced recurring political crises over the past two decades.

The statement came amid reports that an elite army unit known as CAPSAT seized power earlier this week, just hours after parliament voted to impeach President Rajoelina.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who now leads the military, told reporters he would be sworn in as president on Friday and expressed willingness to hold talks with the AU, which suspended Madagascar’s membership following the end of civilian rule.

The military authorities have reportedly pledged to hold elections within two years.

A three-time president, Rajoelina left the country between 11 and 12 October following weeks of anti-government “Gen-Z” protests.

Amid the political turmoil, Madagascar continues to face overlapping humanitarian crises. Years of drought, cyclones, and locust infestations have devastated farmlands, while a malaria outbreak has further strained the country’s fragile health system.

Nearly 29,000 people are already facing emergency levels of hunger in the Grand Sud region — a number expected to rise to around 110,000 by early 2026.

Mr Dujarric warned that funding shortages have severely limited UN relief operations and urged international partners to maintain their support for the Malagasy people.