Madagascar’s Colonel Michael Randrianirina is set to be inaugurated as the new president in the upcoming days, according to two informed sources. This follows a coup led by Randrianirina to remove President Andry Rajoelina from office. Rajoelina, who was ousted by lawmakers after fleeing the country, has denounced the takeover and is resisting calls for his resignation amid protests by Gen Z and defections in security forces.
After the impeachment, Randrianirina announced that the military had assumed control, except for the lower house of parliament. Sources close to the colonel disclosed to Reuters that he will take the presidential oath within the next day or two, with the High Constitutional Court extending the invitation on Tuesday. Randrianirina stated that a military-led committee will govern alongside a transitional government for a period of up to two years before holding new elections.
Having been a key figure in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power, Randrianirina parted ways with him last week. Rajoelina, in a broadcast on Monday, mentioned moving to a secure location due to threats on his life. Reports indicate that he left the country on a French military aircraft on Sunday.