Madagascar Coup Leader Randrianirina Sworn In as President

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the leader of Madagascar’s recent coup, was sworn in as president on Friday after the military seized power earlier this week following youth-led protests that forced former President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.

Rajoelina, who was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing abroad over the weekend, has condemned the takeover and refused to resign, despite mass defections within the security forces.

The African Union and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres have denounced the coup, which followed weeks of “Gen Z” protests demanding political change.

“I will fully and faithfully discharge the heavy responsibilities of the office of President of the Republic of Madagascar,” Randrianirina said during his swearing-in ceremony at the High Constitutional Court.

He added, “I swear to exercise the powers vested in me and dedicate all my strength to defending and strengthening the unity of the nation and the protection of human rights.”

Randrianirina announced earlier that the military had taken control and dissolved all institutions except the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. He said a military-led committee would govern alongside a transitional administration for two years before new elections are held.

Randrianirina, a commander in the elite CAPSAT army unit, previously played a role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. However, he broke ranks last week, urging soldiers not to fire on protesters.

Madagascar, an island nation of nearly 30 million people, has a median age under 20, and three-quarters of the population live in poverty. According to the World Bank, the country’s per capita GDP has fallen by 45% between independence in 1960 and 2020, underscoring decades of economic decline.