Madagascar’s Colonel Randrianirina Sworn in as President After Military Takeover

🚨REGIONAL | Madagascar’s Colonel Randrianirina Sworn in as President After Military Takeover

Madagascar has entered a new and uncertain chapter after Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the head of the country’s most powerful military unit, was sworn in as president on Friday morning, following a dramatic coup that ousted Andry Rajoelina and sent shockwaves through the Indian Ocean island nation.

The swearing-in ceremony took place under tight security in Antananarivo, marking the culmination of a military takeover that began earlier this week when soldiers loyal to Randrianirina seized control of the presidential palace and announced the suspension of the constitution. The move drew swift condemnation from regional and international partners, including the African Union and the United Nations, both calling for a swift return to civilian rule.

In his brief inaugural address, Randrianirina described himself as “a servant of the Malagasy people” and vowed to restore stability, dignity, and social welfare in a country long crippled by poverty and political turmoil. “We have taken this responsibility not out of ambition but out of duty,” he said. “Our mission is to protect the nation and rebuild it for all Malagasies.”

The 51-year-old colonel, who once governed the southern Androy region, carries a reputation for discipline, humility, and nationalist conviction. His rise is as remarkable as it is controversial. Only a year ago, he was held in a maximum-security prison without trial, accused of plotting a mutiny against the very government he has now replaced. His release in February set the stage for a resurgence that many now see as both redemptive and destabilizing.

Randrianirina has promised to lead a transitional government for up to two years, combining military and civilian leadership before new elections are held. He insists his administration will focus on social programs and restoring national confidence, but critics warn that Madagascar’s history of coups rarely ends with stability.

The capital remained tense but calm on Friday, with the army maintaining checkpoints across key installations. Rajoelina’s whereabouts remain unknown, though reports suggest he fled the country soon after the takeover.

As the Malagasy flag was raised and the national anthem played at the swearing-in, the sense of uncertainty hung heavy. What began as a rebellion within the barracks has now reshaped the political order. For millions of citizens struggling under economic hardship, the question is whether this new leader will bring reform or repeat history.

Madagascar has endured more than a decade of political turbulence since Rajoelina’s first coup in 2009. Today’s ceremony closes one chapter but opens another—one that will test the island’s fragile democracy and the world’s tolerance for military rule in an era when citizens are increasingly restless with civilian governments across Africa.

© The People’s Brief | Regional —Ollus R. Ndomu