Madagascar’s military coup leader declared on Wednesday that he is assuming the role of president and that the armed forces will govern the African island nation for a period of up to two years before any elections take place. Col. Michael Randrianirina, who spearheaded a rebellion leading to the ousting of President Andry Rajoelina, stated that he anticipates being inaugurated as the new leader of the Indian Ocean country in the coming days.
Randrianirina emphasized the need for an official oath-taking ceremony to formalize his position, asserting that the military will remain in control for a duration ranging from 18 months to two years. The military takeover in Madagascar followed sustained protests against Rajoelina and his administration by predominantly youth groups identifying themselves as “Gen Z Madagascar.”
The protests, demanding improved governance and enhanced opportunities in a nation grappling with widespread poverty, resonate with youth-led movements observed globally. Randrianirina explained that he assumed leadership as the High Constitutional Court invited him to do so in Rajoelina’s absence, who fled Madagascar in the wake of the uprising.
The colonel announced the dissolution of all institutions by the military except the lower house of parliament. He outlined plans for a military-led committee to oversee the country alongside a transitional government for up to two years before arranging fresh elections. The United Nations reported at least 22 fatalities due to protests in major cities, with the unrest culminating in Randrianirina’s rebellion against Rajoelina, prompting the latter’s departure.
Randrianirina justified the military’s intervention by citing the absence of functional government structures in the country. He expressed urgency in appointing a new prime minister to address the ongoing crisis, without specifying a timeline for the appointment.
Rajoelina, in power since 2018, disclosed that he sought refuge out of fear for his safety following the military insurrection. He condemned the military’s actions as an unlawful coup attempt by a dissident faction. Randrianirina, a vocal critic of Rajoelina, faced legal troubles in the past, including arrest on mutiny charges in 2023, leading to his imprisonment and subsequent release in 2024.
Madagascar has a history of political upheaval since gaining independence in 1960, with the country grappling with systemic poverty and corruption. The African Union suspended Madagascar from its bodies until constitutional order is reinstated.
Analysts view the sustained youth protests in Madagascar as a response to governance failures, denouncing the military’s assumption of power. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern over the situation in Madagascar, refraining from confirming any role in assisting Rajoelina’s departure.