Madagascar is set to swear in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as interim president today, just days after a military intervention forced President Andry Rajoelina out of office and drew international concern over another coup in Africa.
The country’s constitutional court is expected to formalise the colonel’s appointment at a ceremony scheduled for 10:00 am local time (0700 GMT), capping a week of political upheaval.
Rajoelina was impeached on Tuesday for “desertion of duty,” prompting the military to step in.
Although widely described as a coup, Randrianirina has denied seizing power unlawfully, pointing instead to the court’s endorsement and a commitment to returning the country to civilian rule.
“Madagascar has not chosen a military regime,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“The government belongs to civilians. The presidential council includes both military and civilian members.”
The 51-year-old commander of the CAPSAT unit, known for its refusal to fire on anti-government protesters, has promised elections within 18 to 24 months.
He also revealed that consultations are ongoing to appoint a consensus prime minister.
A large crowd gathered at the court for Friday’s swearing-in, including youth leaders who led the protests that toppled Rajoelina, alongside local politicians and foreign diplomats from the U.S., EU, and France.
Randrianirina rose to prominence after publicly backing demonstrators in late September protesting against worsening living conditions and widespread power outages.
On October 11, his unit announced it would refuse orders to shoot protesters, turning the tide in the popular uprising.
International bodies such as the United Nations, African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have raised concerns and called for a return to constitutional order.
The AU and SADC have announced plans to send fact-finding missions to assess the situation.
President Rajoelina’s office confirmed late Wednesday that he fled the country over the weekend, citing threats to his life.
Reports say he was flown to Reunion Island aboard a French military plane before travelling on to Dubai. His current location remains unknown.
Rajoelina’s allies have condemned the constitutional court’s decision and questioned the legality of the transition, warning that it risks destabilising the island nation.
Madagascar, located off the coast of Mozambique, has a long history of political instability.
This marks its third military-led transition since independence from France in 1960, following similar takeovers in 1972 and 2009.
Despite being rich in natural resources and biodiversity, over 80% of Madagascar’s 32 million people live in poverty, according to World Bank estimates.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, during a visit to Nigeria on Thursday, urged the transitional government to ensure civilian involvement and respond to the demands of the country’s youth.
“The mobilisation of Madagascar’s youth must be fully heard to build a sustainable, peaceful, and calm solution,” Barrot said.
Madagascar now joins a growing list of former French colonies, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Gabon, that have experienced military takeovers since 2020.
