ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (FN) — Col. Michael Randrianirina was sworn in Friday as Madagascar’s new president, days after the military seized power in the wake of mass anti-government protests that forced former President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.
The 51-year-old army officer, who led the CAPSAT military unit that defected to the protest movement, pledged sweeping reforms in his inaugural address, promising to restore order and overhaul the country’s political system.
“Today marks a historic turning point for our country,” Randrianirina said, speaking after taking the oath of office in Antananarivo. Dressed in a civilian suit for the ceremony, the former commander vowed to draft a new constitution and electoral law in consultation with civil society, especially youth.
The military takeover was announced on Tuesday, following weeks of protests driven by frustration over chronic electricity outages, economic hardship, and accusations of neglect against Rajoelina’s government. The Constitutional Court backed the military’s intervention, citing the need to prevent further instability.
Randrianirina said the army acted to “avoid anarchy and disorder” at the court’s request. “Our main mission is to reform the country’s administrative, socio-economic, and political systems of governance,” he said.
Foreign delegations from the United States, European Union, Russia, and France attended the inauguration ceremony, signaling cautious engagement despite widespread concern over the legitimacy of the power shift.
In remarks directed at the international community, Randrianirina said the foreign presence demonstrated “respect for national sovereignty” and invited their support in what he described as a “process of national renewal.”
However, critics, including Rajoelina’s allies, have denounced the military’s move as unconstitutional. The former president’s office confirmed Wednesday that he had left the country, reportedly flying first to the French island of Réunion before traveling to Dubai. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Protesters, many of them from a youth-led movement, had clashed with police in recent weeks. Rights groups and opposition figures accused government forces of using excessive force before the CAPSAT unit announced it would no longer carry out orders to suppress demonstrations.
The African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called for the return to constitutional order and plan to send fact-finding missions to the country.
This marks Madagascar’s third military-led transition since independence in 1960, following coups in 1972 and 2009. It is also the latest in a growing list of former French colonies in Africa to experience military takeovers in recent years, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, and Niger.
Despite its wealth of natural resources and unique biodiversity, Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than 80% of its 32 million people living in poverty.
Outside the court, small crowds gathered to witness the event. “We’re happy to be able to hope for change,” said Faniry Randrianaridoa, a local shopkeeper. “We hope, but we’ll see. It’s not a whim to want water and electricity.”
