On October 15, 2025, Colonel Michael Randrianirina led a military coup in Madagascar, ousting President Andry Rajoelina amid weeks of youth-led protests over poverty, corruption, and utility outages. Rajoelina fled the country and was impeached for desertion. Randrianirina was sworn in by the High Constitutional Court and pledged a transitional government with elections in 18-24 months. The African Union suspended Madagascar following the coup.