We have taken power, says Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of Capsat, to the news agency AFP on Tuesday after reading out a statement in front of a government building.
A committee with representatives from the army, gendarmerie and police will take over the president's duties, according to the colonel.
In a few days, we will establish a civil government, he says.
Just minutes earlier, the parliament had voted to bring President Andry Rajoelina before the high court. The president, who is in hiding, had previously said he had dissolved the parliament remotely. This was to "restore order in the country and strengthen democracy".
Weeks of protests
The dramatic developments follow weeks of youth-led protests against corruption, unemployment and recurring power and water shortages that have turned into increasingly loud demands for the president's resignation.
Over the weekend, Capsat sided with the demonstrators. A general nominated by the unit was then appointed as the new army chief.
51-year-old Rajoelina, who himself came to power through a coup in 2009 – with the help of Capsat – said on Monday that he is hiding in a "safe place" after alleged coup and murder attempts.
French involvement
Reports from several sources claim that Rajoelina has left the island nation off Africa's east coast.
According to Radio France International, the president, whose dual French-Malagasy citizenship has long been a red flag for the opposition, was flown out of the country by the French military. It is said to have happened after an approval by the former colonial power's president Emmanuel Macron.
