Army chief to take his oath as president on Friday as African Union requires the restoration of civilian rule.
Revealed On 16 Oct 2025
Madagascar‘s new army chief, who got here to energy on the again of a well-liked insurrection, has introduced that he shall be sworn in because the nation’s president, defying the choice of the African Union (AU) to droop the island nation’s membership.
The army seized energy, forcing President Andry Rajoelina to flee the nation final week. Colonel Michael Randrianirina introduced late on Wednesday that he’ll take his oath because the nation’s new chief on Friday, saying the Excessive Constitutional Courtroom will carry out the ceremony.
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“Colonel Michael Randrianirina shall be sworn in because the President for the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar throughout a proper listening to,” the assertion learn.
The announcement throws the nation deeper right into a constitutional disaster, as Rajoelina has refused to surrender his place as president and earlier ordered the dissolution of the Nationwide Meeting. He had additionally accused the meeting of colluding with Randrianirina to mount the army takeover.
In an announcement to the AFP information company late on Wednesday, Rajoelina stated he left the nation between October 11 and 12 after “express and intensely severe threats had been made towards the lifetime of the Head of State”.
In accordance with information studies, Rajoelina was evacuated on Sunday on board a French army airplane.
On Monday, Rajoelina stated he had taken refuge in a “secure place” with out giving additional particulars.
Rajoelina has remained silent about the opportunity of returning to the nation.
Randrianirina stated earlier that the army had taken energy and dissolved all establishments besides the Nationwide Meeting.
He additionally stated a committee led by the army would rule for as much as two years alongside a transitional authorities earlier than organising new elections.
The elimination of the previous chief adopted weeks of lethal “Gen-Z” protests, which initially erupted over energy and water shortages, and advanced into essentially the most severe disaster the nation and Rajoelina’s authorities had confronted in years.
Randrianirina was a commander within the elite CAPSAT military unit that performed a key position within the 2009 coup, which introduced Rajoelina to energy, however broke ranks with him final week, urging troopers to not fireplace on protesters.
Madagascar is the most recent of a number of former French colonies to have fallen beneath army management since 2020, after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon and Guinea.
On Wednesday, the AU suspended Madagascar as a member with quick impact following the coup, and referred to as for the restoration of civilian-led governance in addition to elections.
Suspension by the 55-member bloc carries political weight and will isolate the nation’s new management.
