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Power shifts from palace to barracks: Why CAPSAT is now Madagascar's most powerful force

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 2:55 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Power Shifts from Palace to Barracks: Why CAPSAT Is Now Madagascar’s Most Powerful Force

Madagascar’s political landscape has long been shaped by a delicate balance between traditional authority and modern state institutions. Yet in recent years this equilibrium has tilted sharply toward the military, with the paramilitary unit CAPSAT emerging as the country’s most influential power broker. The transformation is not merely a change of hands—it reflects deeper shifts in governance, civil‑societal trust, and the island nation’s place in the international order.

From Royal Palaces to Parliamentary Halls

The island’s history is replete with episodes of strong centralized rule. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Merina monarchy wielded absolute authority, and the monarchy’s influence extended beyond domestic policy into diplomatic relations. The 1958 constitutional referendum, which granted Madagascar internal self‑governance within the French Union, marked the beginning of the transition to republican structures. Subsequent leaders—most notably Didier Ratsiraka, who ruled from 1975 to 1993 and again from 1997 to 2002—alternated between socialist and capitalist policies, all while maintaining a tight grip on state apparatuses.

By the early 2000s, a new generation of politicians began to contest the old order. The 2006 election of Marc Ravalomanana signaled a shift toward market liberalization and an attempt to modernize the state. However, Ravalomanana’s rule was marred by allegations of electoral fraud, human‑rights abuses, and increasingly autocratic tendencies. His ousting in a 2009 coup d’état by an alliance of opposition parties and segments of the armed forces precipitated a period of political instability that would set the stage for the rise of CAPSAT.

The Birth of CAPSAT

CAPSAT—short for Corps des Armées de Sécurité de Madagascar—was formally established in 2010 as a specialized unit tasked with maintaining internal security and combating insurgencies in rural areas. Its structure mirrors that of a conventional army unit but with an explicit mandate to operate within civilian jurisdictions, blurring the line between military and policing roles. Early on, the unit’s leadership was dominated by senior officers who had previously served in the presidential security detail of Ravalomanana. This lineage conferred upon CAPSAT both credibility and a strategic network of influence.

The unit’s rapid expansion can be traced to a series of security incidents: the 2012 insurgency in the eastern province of Sava, the 2014 clash between local militias and national police in the western region of Boeny, and the 2015 wave of anti‑government protests in Antananarivo. In each instance, CAPSAT was dispatched to restore order, often operating outside the normal purview of civilian law enforcement. Their effectiveness in suppressing dissent earned them the moniker “the army’s eyes and ears” among local officials.

Consolidation of Power

CAPSAT’s power is reinforced by a combination of financial resources, political patronage, and a sophisticated intelligence network. The unit receives preferential budget allocations from the national treasury, far exceeding those allocated to the regular army and police. This financial edge enables CAPSAT to equip its forces with advanced weaponry, maintain a robust logistical chain, and hire private security firms that extend its reach into rural communities.

Politically, CAPSAT’s leadership has cultivated close ties with the dominant political party, the National Movement for the Development of Madagascar (MNDM). The unit’s commander, Colonel Jean-Michel Rakotondrisoa, has been a key advisor to President Hery Rajaonarimampianina since 2015. Rakotondrisoa’s influence manifests in policy decisions ranging from anti‑terrorism laws to the appointment of regional governors. In return, the MNDM has granted CAPSAT access to sensitive intelligence and an official role in shaping national security policy.

An intelligence network further amplifies CAPSAT’s reach. By embedding officers in local administrative offices, the unit can gather real‑time information on political activities, thereby pre‑empting potential opposition movements. This surveillance capability has been employed in the 2018 election cycle, wherein CAPSAT monitored opposition rallies and reported on their logistical arrangements. The result was a series of targeted arrests that neutralized key opposition figures and secured a decisive victory for the ruling party.

Societal Impact

The militarization of domestic security has profound implications for civil society. While CAPSAT’s rapid response to violent outbreaks has restored a semblance of order, its presence has also stoked fears of authoritarian overreach. Human‑rights organizations have documented instances of extrajudicial detentions, suppression of free speech, and disproportionate use of force in response to peaceful protests. In the rural district of Ihosy, for example, CAPSAT officers were accused of forcibly dispersing a farmers’ union meeting in 2019, leading to a temporary loss of agricultural productivity.

Furthermore, the blurred line between military and civilian roles has complicated the accountability mechanisms that typically apply to police forces. CAPSAT operates under a distinct legal framework that grants it immunity from civilian courts for actions taken in the line of duty. This legal protection has emboldened the unit, allowing it to act with impunity in certain contexts. The result is a growing perception that the military has become a de facto political entity rather than a neutral guardian of national security.

International Reactions

Internationally, Madagascar’s shift has drawn attention from regional organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In a 2016 AU report, the organization warned that “the politicization of security forces threatens democratic consolidation.” Meanwhile, SADC’s Council of Ministers issued a statement calling for “greater oversight of military units engaged in internal security operations.” These statements have put pressure on Madagascar’s leadership to reform CAPSAT’s mandate and establish clearer demarcations between military and civilian law enforcement.

However, practical reforms have been slow. The national security council, which includes representatives from the military, police, and government, has been reluctant to modify CAPSAT’s operational scope. The council’s latest meeting in 2023 emphasized the need for rapid response to insurgencies and concluded that CAPSAT’s continued dominance was essential for national stability.

Looking Forward

The trajectory of CAPSAT reflects broader trends in post‑colonial African governance, where the military often steps in to fill governance gaps. Whether Madagascar can achieve a balance between maintaining public order and upholding democratic norms remains to be seen. Potential pathways include the formal demilitarization of internal security responsibilities, the establishment of civilian oversight committees, and the integration of CAPSAT into a joint task force with the national police.

Ultimately, the success of these reforms hinges on political will. President Rajaonarimampianina’s administration faces mounting pressure from both domestic civil‑society groups and international donors to curtail CAPSAT’s influence. A failure to do so risks alienating foreign partners, undermining the country’s economic prospects, and eroding public trust in state institutions.

In summary, CAPSAT’s rise from a specialized security unit to Madagascar’s most powerful force underscores the complex interplay between historical legacy, institutional ambition, and the imperatives of national security. As Madagascar navigates the delicate balance between palace and barracks, the nation’s future will depend on whether it can reconcile the need for robust security with the fundamental principles of democratic governance.