Madagascar braced for military rule on Wednesday after an elite army unit seized power following President Andry Rajoelina's impeachment, promising elections within two years.

The CAPSAT military contingent assumed power moments after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who appeared to have fled the country as street protests escalated.

CAPSAT commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina, confirmed as president by the top court, said the transition to civilian leadership would take under two years and include the restructuring of major institutions.

"It would be best to hold a swearing-in ceremony as soon as possible," Randrianirina told local television on Wednesday.

'Wasn't a coup'

"It wasn't a coup, it was a case of taking responsibility because the country was on the brink of collapse," he said, having pledged elections in 18 to 24 months and told local media that consultations were under way to appoint a prime minister and form a new government.

The transition would be overseen by a committee of officers from the army, gendarmerie and police.

Randrianirina had long been a vocal critic of Rajoelina's administration and was reportedly imprisoned for several months in 2023 for plotting a coup.

The swift takeover has drawn international concern.

Madagascar's capital calm on Wednesday

The African Union on Wednesday told AFP it was suspending Madagascar "with immediate effect", while the United Nations said they were "deeply concerned by the change of power" in Madagascar.

The capital Antananarivo remained calm on Wednesday, though uncertainty lingered over what might come next.

A concert was held on the symbolic Place du 13 Mai square, in front of the city hall, where thousands of protesters and armed vehicles had clashed days before.

The youth-led Gen Z movement that initiated the protests on September 25 over lack of water and energy before they later swelled into broader anger at the political elite have welcomed the intervention of Randrianirina.

'Ready to talk to the youth'

The colonel had said he is "ready to talk to the youth and we are ready to answer the call."

The presidency, however, denounced what it called "a clear act of attempted coup" and insisted that Rajoelina – whose whereabouts remained unknown and who was last seen in public a week ago – "remains fully in office."

It said on Wednesday the constitutional court's decision was riddled with procedural illegalities and risked destabilising the country.

Rajoelina, re-elected in 2023, came to power in a 2009 military-backed coup.

Resists calls to resign

He resisted mounting calls to step down, saying in a national address from an unknown location on Monday that he was seeking solutions to Madagascar's problems.

Amid reports that he had been helped to leave with assistance from France, the former colonial power, he said he was in a "safe place to protect my life."