Madagascar’s political future has been thrown into turmoil after Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the military officer behind the latest coup, announced on Wednesday that he would soon be sworn in as president cementing his control over the island nation.
The dramatic declaration came just days after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country following mass youth-led protests, widespread defections within the security forces, and his impeachment by lawmakers.
At a press briefing in the capital Antananarivo, Randrianirina appeared confident and defiant, declaring that the army had assumed full responsibility for restoring order in a nation long plagued by political instability, poverty, and corruption.
“We will be sworn in soon. We took responsibility yesterday,” he told reporters, as cheering supporters gathered outside the town hall on Independence Avenue once the heart of anti-government demonstrations.
A Military Takeover Amid a Crisis of Faith
The coup marks yet another seismic shift in Madagascar’s turbulent political history. Randrianirina, a career soldier and former commander in the elite CAPSAT army unit, said the military had dissolved all state institutions except the National Assembly, vowing to steer the nation through a two-year transition before organizing fresh elections.
Two sources close to the colonel told Reuters that his swearing-in ceremony could take place within the next 48 hours.
His takeover comes after months of escalating unrest. The country, already struggling with frequent power outages, water shortages, and soaring food prices, erupted into nationwide protests earlier this month. Many of the demonstrators were young Malagasy citizens part of what has been dubbed the “Gen Z Uprising” who accused President Rajoelina of economic neglect and deepening inequality.
A Leader Turned Fugitive
The ousted president, Andry Rajoelina, once hailed as a youthful reformer, now finds himself in exile. According to security and diplomatic sources, Rajoelina fled Madagascar on Sunday aboard a French military plane, reportedly seeking refuge in Dubai.
https://www.citizen.digital/article/madagascar-coup-leader-randrianirina-says-he-will-be-sworn-in-as-president-n371486His fall from grace is steep and ironic. Just sixteen years ago, in 2009, Rajoelina himself had risen to power in a military-backed coup also fueled by youth protests and public frustration. At just 34 years old, he became the world’s youngest head of state, promising to usher in an era of good governance and economic renewal.
But critics say his administration failed to deliver. Corruption scandals, economic stagnation, and widening inequality eroded his popularity.
By 2025, with over 75% of Madagascar’s 30 million citizens living in poverty, frustrations boiled over. Protesters took to the streets chanting, “No more empty promises!” and “We deserve better!”
The Rise of Randrianirina: From Soldier to Strongman
Colonel Randrianirina is no stranger to political upheaval. As a young officer in the CAPSAT unit, he played a crucial role in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina into power.
This time, however, he broke ranks with his former ally. When Rajoelina ordered troops to suppress protests last week, Randrianirina refused, urging soldiers not to fire on demonstrators. His defiance quickly won him the loyalty of key military and police units, as well as much of the public.
By Tuesday, the balance of power had decisively shifted. The paramilitary gendarmerie, police forces, and sections of the army openly declared allegiance to Randrianirina.
The following morning, Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court formally invited him to assume the presidency an act viewed by observers as an attempt to legitimize the military takeover.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Madagascar’s history is deeply intertwined with political volatility. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the island has endured multiple coups, disputed elections, and cycles of instability that have stunted its economic growth.
The World Bank reports that between 1960 and 2020, the country’s GDP per capita fell by nearly 45%, leaving millions trapped in poverty despite abundant natural resources and rich biodiversity.
In recent years, the combination of drought, energy shortages, and mismanagement has deepened hardship for ordinary Malagasy citizens. Many see Randrianirina’s rise as both a symptom and a response to long-standing governance failures.
Still, not everyone views the coup as a solution. Human rights groups and international observers have warned of the dangers of another prolonged military rule.
“Madagascar has been here before,” said an analyst with the African Union’s Democracy and Governance Division. “The question is whether this time the military will truly hand back power to civilians—or whether history will repeat itself.”
The Promise and Peril of a Transitional Government
In his first address after seizing power, Randrianirina promised a “transitional government of national renewal.” He said the interim administration would prioritize restoring public trust, stabilizing the economy, and organizing democratic elections within two years.
He also pledged to focus on youth employment, energy reforms, and anti-corruption measures—key issues that fueled the protests.
“The Malagasy people deserve dignity, not despair,” Randrianirina declared. “This is not a military regime; it is a patriotic mission.”
Yet skepticism remains. Opposition figures, some now in hiding, accuse the colonel of exploiting legitimate grievances to entrench military dominance. Western nations have expressed concern over the coup, urging dialogue and the swift restoration of constitutional order.
Uncertain Future, Fading Hope
As Antananarivo tries to return to normalcy, the streets remain tense. Soldiers patrol major intersections, while residents queue for basic supplies amid fears of further unrest.
For many young protesters, however, the mood is cautiously hopeful. “We don’t want another dictator,” said 19-year-old student Rina Andrianina. “We just want leaders who listen.”
Whether Colonel Randrianirina can transform his military triumph into a credible transition or whether Madagascar slides back into the familiar cycle of coups and crises will define the nation’s next chapter.
For now, a weary island watches, waiting to see if this latest revolution brings renewal or regret.
