Madagascar's New Military Leadership: Colonel Randrianirina Assumes Presidency Following Political Upheaval

The newly appointed president declared that the youth would be consulted before the formation of the new government.

Madagascar's leadership underwent a significant transition as Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as president on Friday, following a military seizure of power that forced former president Andry Rajoelina to flee the country and raised international concerns about another coup on the island nation.

Randrianirina, who previously commanded the CAPSAT army unit, led a mutiny that aligned with anti-government demonstrators before announcing on Tuesday that the military had assumed control. This action came after Rajoelina was impeached for abandoning his presidential duties.

"Today represents a historic moment of transformation for our nation," stated Randrianirina following his inauguration ceremony, where the 51-year-old colonel exchanged his military attire for formal civilian clothing.

He promised comprehensive reforms for the impoverished island, where frustration over persistent electricity outages triggered protests last month that rapidly evolved into a widespread movement.

"We will collaborate with all vital forces in the nation to create an exemplary constitution and establish new electoral regulations for organizing elections and referendums," Randrianirina affirmed.

"Our primary objective is to fundamentally reform the country's administrative, socio-economic, and political governance systems."

The new president expressed gratitude to the nation's youth for leading the protests that ousted Rajoelina, explaining that the military intervened at the request of the supreme court to "prevent chaos and disorder."

The inauguration ceremony in Antananarivo was attended by military officials, politicians, representatives from the Gen Z youth-led protest movement, and several international delegations, including those from the United States, European Union, Russia, and former colonial power France.

A small crowd gathered outside the constitutional court Friday morning, hoping to glimpse the new president.

"We're pleased to have hope for change," remarked shopkeeper Faniry Randrianaridoa.

"We remain hopeful, but we'll see," she told AFP. "It's not unreasonable to desire basic necessities like water and electricity."

Facing international scrutiny, Randrianirina has been eager to formalize his new position and insisted the takeover was not a coup, citing the constitutional court's endorsement.

During his inauguration, the new leader addressed foreign delegations in French, inviting them to "support Madagascar throughout the process of guiding and implementing national renewal."

Local media sources reported that Randrianirina had already met with a Russian delegation on Thursday.

The international community's "substantial presence demonstrates their respect for national sovereignty," he told journalists.

The new president announced that the youth would be "consulted before the appointment of the new government."

Supporters of former president Rajoelina have denounced the constitutional court's backing of the CAPSAT commander as filled with procedural irregularities that could destabilize the country.

They maintain that Rajoelina remains the legitimate leader and is working to address the nation's challenges.

Government forces were accused of a severe crackdown on protesters, with numerous casualties reported, until CAPSAT announced on October 11 that it would refuse orders to fire upon demonstrators.

This marked a crucial turning point in the uprising, with the military unit being celebrated by the protest movement, which now expects to participate in the new administration.

Rajoelina's office confirmed in a statement late Wednesday that he had fled the country the same weekend CAPSAT aligned with protesters, citing fears for his safety. His current location remains undisclosed.

Media reports indicated that the 51-year-old was evacuated Sunday on a French military aircraft to the French island of Reunion, from where he continued to Dubai.

This power transition represents the third military takeover in Madagascar since its independence in 1960, following previous coups in 1972 and 2009.

The Indian Ocean island becomes the latest former French colony in Africa to fall under military control since 2020, joining Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea.

Despite abundant natural resources and rich biodiversity, Madagascar remains among the world's poorest nations, with approximately 80 percent of its 32 million people living in poverty, according to World Bank statistics.

The African Union and regional bloc SADC announced plans to dispatch fact-finding missions to the island and called for the preservation of constitutional democracy.