Army colonel inaugurated as Madagascar president

By John Ogunsemore

Army colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar’s president on Friday, formalising a military takeover that ousted longtime leader Andry Rajoelina amid widespread youth-led protests over economic hardships.

The inauguration ceremony took place at 10 am local time (0700 GMT) at the High Constitutional Court’s headquarters in the capital, Antananarivo.

Attended by diplomats including the US ambassador and delegations from the European Union, Russia and France, the event marked the third military-led transition in the Indian Ocean island nation since its independence from France in 1960, following coups in 1972 and 2009.

Randrianirina, 51, took the oath as “President for the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar,” a title highlighting his pledge to restructure key institutions before holding new elections within 18 to 24 months. 

“Today marks a historic turning point for our country. With a people in full fervor, driven by the desire for change and a deep love for their homeland, we joyfully open a new chapter in the life of our nation,” Randrianirina said.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the ceremony, the colonel emphasised that the new administration would not impose a full military regime. 

“Madagascar has not chosen a military regime. The government belongs to civilians. The presidential council is also composed of military and civilians,” he said.

The power shift followed three weeks of escalating demonstrations, primarily driven by young protesters frustrated with chronic power outages, water shortages, and broader grievances against political corruption and inequality in the country of 30 million people, where the average age is under 20. 

The movement, dubbed “Gen Z” by participants, began on September 25 and swelled into calls for systemic change. 

Randrianirina, previously a key figure in the 2009 coup that elevated Rajoelina to power, broke ranks last week by urging troops not to fire on demonstrators and aligning with the unrest.

On Tuesday, parliament impeached Rajoelina for “desertion of duty” shortly before Randrianirina’s CAPSAT unit, an elite special forces group, announced the military’s assumption of control and dissolved all institutions except the National Assembly. 

Rajoelina, whose whereabouts remain unknown, fled the country on Sunday citing threats to his life.

A brief clash between CAPSAT soldiers and loyalist gendarmerie forces resulted in one military death, according to Randrianirina.

The coup has drawn sharp international rebuke, with the African Union announcing on Wednesday it would suspend Madagascar’s membership and demanding a swift return to civilian rule, while the United Nations condemned the takeover as unconstitutional.