The head of the military coup in Madagascar declared on Wednesday that he is assuming the role of president and that the armed forces will oversee the country for a period of up to two years before any elections take place, as revealed in an interview with The Associated Press. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who spearheaded the soldiers’ revolt that removed President Andry Rajoelina, mentioned that he anticipates being inaugurated as the new leader of the Indian Ocean nation in the coming days.
Randrianirina emphasized the necessity for an official oath-taking ceremony to solidify his position, stating from his unit’s barracks that they will remain in power for a minimum of 18 months, possibly extending to two years. The military’s assumption of control in Madagascar was declared by Randrianirina on Tuesday, following weeks of demonstrations against Rajoelina and his administration by predominantly youth groups identifying themselves as “Gen Z Madagascar.”
The demonstrators have been demanding improved governance and more prospects in a nation plagued by profound poverty, mirroring significant youth-led protests seen elsewhere globally. Randrianirina indicated that he accepted the role of head of state after the High Constitutional Court of the country invited him to do so in Rajoelina’s absence, who fled Madagascar in the wake of the uprising.
The colonel also announced the dissolution of all institutions by the military except for the lower house of parliament. He informed the media that a committee led by the military would govern the country for a duration of up to two years alongside an interim government before arranging fresh elections. The United Nations reported last week that at least 22 individuals lost their lives due to the demonstrations in Antananarivo and other major cities in the country with a population of around 30 million.
The protests reached a critical juncture when Randrianirina and soldiers from his elite unit rebelled against Rajoelina and joined the calls for the president’s resignation, leading to Rajoelina’s escape. “We had to assume responsibility yesterday because there was no leadership left in the country, no president, no senate president, no government,” Randrianirina remarked. The military leader also mentioned that they were expediting the appointment of a new prime minister to resolve the country’s crisis promptly, without specifying a precise timeline.
Rajoelina, who has been in power since 2018, claimed that he fled to a secure location out of fear for his safety following the rebellion by Randrianirina’s soldiers. He denounced the military seizure as an illicit coup attempt by a faction of rebels. Randrianirina had emerged as a vocal critic of Rajoelina in recent years and was previously arrested on suspicion of inciting a mutiny within the army in November 2023, leading to his imprisonment. He was released in February 2024 after receiving a suspended sentence and returned to his military unit.
Madagascar has witnessed numerous coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1960. The island nation has grappled with persistent poverty, with GDP per capita plummeting by nearly half between independence and 2020, as per World Bank estimates. Corruption has also thrived, with the country’s ranking on Transparency International’s corruption index dropping from 118th to 140th in the latest assessment.
In 2009, a military-led coup brought Rajoelina to power as a transitional leader, portraying himself as a champion of the youth. The African Union announced the immediate suspension of Madagascar from its entities until constitutional order is reinstated in the country.
Several observers have characterized the prolonged youth uprising in Madagascar as a manifestation of grievances over governmental shortcomings and have condemned the military intervention. Olufemi Taiwo, a professor at Cornell University, highlighted that Gen-Zers in Madagascar have been protesting for essential services like water and electricity, calling it a civil society uprising that should not involve the military in its resolution.
French President Emmanuel Macron declined to confirm whether his government aided Rajoelina in his departure, emphasizing France’s solidarity with the people of Madagascar.
