Following last week’s dramatic military takeover, Madagascar’s newly installed leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, has appointed a civilian prime minister, signaling a shift towards a transitional government.
Randrianirina, who took over power after the impeachment of former President Andry Rajoelina for “desertion of duty,” was officially sworn in as head of state on Friday.
His rise to power came amid nationwide protests over worsening power outages, which sparked a broader anti-government uprising.
On Monday, after consulting with the national assembly, Randrianirina named Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, a respected figure in the private sector and former chairman of BNI Bank Madagascar, as the new Prime Minister.
The president described Rajaonarivelo as someone who possesses “the skills, experience, and international connections necessary to help Madagascar recover and rebuild.”
In an address on Monday, Randrianirina rejected claims of a coup and emphasized that the appointment adhered to constitutional procedures.
He reiterated his commitment to forming a civilian-led government, collaborating with all sectors of society and organizing new democratic elections.
He pledged that the military would not retain power indefinitely, aiming to restore stability and legitimacy to the country’s leadership.
The turning point in the political crisis occurred on October 11, when Randrianirina’s CAPSAT military unit mutinied, denouncing the former president’s violent crackdown on protesters.
The unit joined demonstrators in the capital, Antananarivo, lending momentum to the uprising.
Soon after, Rajoelina fled the country.
According to media reports, he was evacuated on Sunday via a French military aircraft to the French territory of Reunion Island, before traveling onward to Dubai.
Though the constitutional court backed the transfer of power, Rajoelina’s supporters have criticized the move, labeling it a military power grab.
