Army Colonel Sworn In as Madagascar President After Military Takeover
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 […]