An army colonel, Michael Randrianirina, has been sworn in as the new president of Madagascar. This follows a military takeover that forced former president Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the capital, Antananarivo, just days after Colonel Randrianirina’s army unit mutinied and sided with anti-government protesters. The constitutional court then impeached Rajoelina for “desertion of duty.”
In his speech, the new president called the event a “historic turning point” and promised to break from the past. He pledged to draft a new constitution and hold elections within 18 to 24 months. He insisted the country would not be run by a military regime but by a civilian government.
Randrianirina has denied that the takeover was a coup, pointing to the court’s backing. He stated the army intervened to “avoid anarchy and disorder,” thanking the youth-led protest movement for their role.
Meanwhile, former President Rajoelina is in hiding abroad after reportedly fleeing on a French military plane. His supporters have condemned the court’s decision as illegal.
The international community, including the African Union, is monitoring the situation and has called for a return to constitutional order. Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest countries and has a history of political instability.
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