ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Colonel Michael Randrianirina has officially been sworn in as Madagascar’s new president, days after leading a lightning-fast military takeover that ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country following weeks of youth-led protests.
The swearing-in ceremony, held before the High Constitutional Court on Friday, marked the formal transfer of power to the army-backed leader. Randrianirina pledged to restore order, unity, and stability, promising to steer the nation through a transitional period leading to elections within two years.
“Today marks a new chapter for Madagascar — one built on dignity, reform, and responsibility,” the new president said in his inaugural address.
The coup came amid widespread anti-government demonstrations driven largely by young citizens angered by high living costs, unemployment, and alleged corruption.
The protests, dubbed the Gen Z Revolution, swelled into nationwide unrest that paralyzed the capital, Antananarivo, and forced Rajoelina to flee before Parliament impeached him.
Randrianirina, who previously commanded the elite CAPSAT unit, quickly consolidated control, dissolving key state institutions including the Senate and the Electoral Commission, citing the need for “national renewal.”
The international community has reacted sharply. The African Union has suspended Madagascar’s membership, terming the takeover “unconstitutional,” while UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a swift return to civilian rule.
Despite global condemnation, the new government has received mixed reactions at home. Some citizens celebrated in the streets, calling Randrianirina a “people’s soldier,” while others expressed concern that the military might entrench itself in power rather than pave the way for genuine reform.
Political analysts warn that while the coup may have ended one crisis, it risks plunging the island nation into another if promises of reform are not kept.
Randrianirina now faces the difficult task of balancing public expectations, economic recovery, and international pressure to restore democracy.
