“Parliament – largely aligned with the junta – has unsurprisingly chosen not to operationalise the commission tasked with investigating senior officials for their alleged abuses.”

“The junta’s legitimacy rests upon the perception of strongmen in combat attire, untainted by wrongdoing.”

“The junta reshuffled the executive branch of the state and made almost 600 appointments. The Gen Z Youth Movement and civil society it claims to have seized power for was neither involved nor consulted.”

“The 2026 Finance Act was to be a political tool to set in motion mechanisms to improve deteriorating public service delivery that drove the whole nation onto the streets last year. However, despite calls from Gen Z and civil society to be part of the deliberations, the junta hurriedly passed it.”

“It provides budget lines that preserve the spending priorities of the old regime, with sizeable allocations for the presidency and cabinet. A closer reading reveals where the money really goes: salaries, bonuses and administrative costs swallow the bulk of the budget, while direct investment in basic services – water, electricity, education and healthcare – remains marginalised.”

“Women’s political participation poses a direct threat to the masculine posture of the regime, which is sold as protective and reassuring for a people fatigued by years of poor governance and humiliation.”

“From the junta’s high council, Randrianirina leads alongside four senior male security officials, each also with the status of head of state.”

“Randrianirina, a Lutheran Christian, chose to place nationwide consultations on national reforms under the exclusive stewardship of the Council of Christian Churches. The council has historically opposed women’s reproductive rights and is likely to sideline LGBTQI rights.”

“The junta’s geopolitical alignment reinforces its militarised masculine posture. Randrianirina quickly gravitated toward partners who frame repression, misogyny and homophobia as expressions of sovereignty and national honour.”

“With US President Donald Trump’s White House, the junta is in discussions on the possibility of Madagascar hosting migrants expelled from the US under policies widely criticised as discriminatory.”

“With Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and the Emirati leaders in Abu Dhabi, it is pursuing further environmental harm through fossil fuel extraction in Madagascar.”

“The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has suspended Madagascar from its regional bloc over the coup.”

“The African Union has also suspended Madagascar from its organization over the coup.”