Col. Michael Randrianirina addresses the Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Friday after being sworn in as president. The former provincial politician swapped his fatigues for a business suit for the ceremony. Photo by Henitsoa Rafalia/EPA
Col. Michael Randrianirina, head of an elite unit of Madagascar’s special forces, was sworn in as president Friday, days after joining Gen Z-led protests and mounting a military coup that toppled the sitting president, Andry Rajoelina, from power.
Speaking at a ceremony in the capital of the Indian Ocean island nation, Randrianirina said he was assuming power at the head of a transitional military government, promising elections within two years once political and electoral reforms were complete.
Vowing to defend and strengthen national unity and human rights, the colonel, who was held without trial in 2023 in a maximum security prison under Rajoelina’s administration, also promised to tackle the power and water shortages behind the revolt.
“We will work hand in hand with all the driving forces of the nation to draft a fine constitution. We are committed to breaking with the past. Our main mission is to thoroughly reform the country’s administrative, socio-economic and political systems of governance,” Randrianirina said.
He also promised to listen to the people with the army meeting leaders of the mass youth protests for talks this week. Some, however, worried about military rule and whether their agenda would be sidelined.
Florent Rakotoarisoa, president of the Constitutional Court, objected to countries and international bodies calling what had occurred a “coup,” insisting it was the result of a faulty constitution that offered no route to remedy a worsening situation as it unfolded.
The African Union and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday were the latest to condemn the army’s seizure of power.
However, RFI reported that diplomatic cars belonging to Britain, France, Switzerland, Germany, China and the European Union arrived for the ceremony at the Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, the capital.
Prime Minister Ruphin Zafisambo, appointed by Rajoelina 11 days ago, and former President Marc Ravalomanana were also present.
