On 12 October 2025, CAPSAT, an elite unit of the Madagascar Armed Forces, overthrew the government of President Andry Rajoelina, the culmination of a protest movement which began in late September. The unit urged the rest of the military to join them and the capital Antananarivo was seized with little resistance. Later that day, the president of the Senate was removed and CAPSAT's nominee for chief of the armed forces was accepted by the civilian authorities.
On 13 October, President Andry Rajoelina fled the country under disputed circumstances, and from an undisclosed location ordered the dissolution of the National Assembly the next day. The legislative body ignored Rajoelina and proceeded to impeach him. Later that day, the military announced that it was taking power and dissolved numerous political institutions except the National Assembly. On 17 October, CAPSAT colonel Michael Randrianirina was inaugurated as interim president.