Madagascar’s new military leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, said he will be sworn in as president on Friday, just days after seizing power in a coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina and prompted the African Union to suspend the island nation’s membership.
In a statement late on Wednesday, Randrianirina announced that the swearing-in ceremony would take place before the High Constitutional Court, declaring himself “President for the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar.” The move came amid escalating youth-led protests, a wave of defections in the security forces, and growing international condemnation.
The African Union said the suspension, effective immediately, would remain in place until civilian-led governance is restored and credible elections are held. “The unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar cannot be condoned,” the bloc said in a communique, calling for dialogue and an urgent return to democratic rule.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Randrianirina said the decision by the African Union was “expected” and hinted at future diplomatic overtures. “From now on, there will be behind-the-scenes negotiations, we’ll see how things unfold,” he said, signalling openness to talks despite the political isolation now facing his administration.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the takeover, urging all parties to work towards restoring constitutional order. “The Secretary-General encourages all Malagasy stakeholders, including the youth, to work together to address the underlying causes of instability,” his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in New York. Guterres also reaffirmed the UN’s readiness to assist national efforts to rebuild governance and stability.
The coup, which unfolded over the weekend, came after Rajoelina fled the country amid growing unrest and a parliamentary vote to impeach him. Lawmakers accused him of abandoning his post and mismanaging the economy, while thousands of young protesters took to the streets in recent weeks demanding his resignation. Rajoelina has since rejected the impeachment and denounced the military’s actions as “an assault on democracy.”
Randrianirina, previously a commander in the elite CAPSAT army unit, played a key role in the 2009 coup that first brought Rajoelina to power. His decision to turn against his former ally last week marked a decisive shift in the balance of power, as troops under his command refused to fire on demonstrators.
In his first address since taking control, Randrianirina announced the dissolution of all state institutions except the National Assembly. He said the country would be governed by a military-led committee and a transitional administration for up to two years before new elections are held.
“The goal is to rebuild a republic founded on integrity, accountability, and social justice,” he said. “We must restore the people’s confidence in the state and bring an end to years of corruption and instability.”
Madagascar’s population of 30 million, with an average age of under 20, has endured decades of political upheaval and economic decline. Three-quarters of citizens live in poverty, and the World Bank estimates that the country’s GDP per capita has fallen by 45 percent since independence in 1960.
The new leadership faces a daunting task. While many young protesters initially welcomed the coup as a response to political stagnation, uncertainty now looms over what comes next. Analysts warn that prolonged military rule could deepen isolation and derail international support crucial to Madagascar’s struggling economy.
For now, Randrianirina’s promise of reform remains untested. His challenge will be to convince a weary population — and a sceptical world — that this takeover marks the start of genuine renewal rather than a return to Madagascar’s cycle of coups and broken transitions.
