In a dramatic turn of events, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the military officer who led the recent coup in Madagascar, has announced that he will assume the presidency, declaring that he is “taking the position of president” as the nation grapples with a constitutional and political crisis.
In an interview from his barracks with the media, Colonel Randrianirina said he anticipates being formally sworn in as head of state within days. His declaration comes after armed forces—spearheaded by his CAPSAT military unit—rose up against President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of widespread protest, pressuring the president to flee the country.
Randrianirina claims his decision is based on an invitation from Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court in light of the absence of legitimate leadership; Rajoelina reportedly departed the capital during the uprising. “There must be an oath-taking” to legitimize his new role, he asserted. He further emphasized that the coup was borne out of necessity, declaring: “We had to take responsibility yesterday because there is nothing left in the country—no president, no government.”
The rebellion reached its climax last Saturday, when troops from Randrianirina’s elite unit joined ongoing demonstrations calling for Rajoelina’s removal. Facing mounting pressure, Rajoelina fled, says the coup leader, though the deposed president has sharply rejected the takeover and labored to portray it as an unlawful seizure of power.
Under the new military regime, Randrianirina said he would promptly appoint a prime minister who would then assemble a government, though he refrained from promising a precise timeline. “What I can say is that we are already accelerating it so that the crisis in the country does not last forever,” he remarked.
Madagascar has a long history of coup attempts and political instability since its independence from France in 1960. Military interventions have punctuated its postcolonial trajectory, including a 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina initially to power.
International responses have been muted so far, although the African Union called for an emergency meeting of its security council in reaction to the developments. Analysts warn that the youth-led uprising, largely driven by grievances over poor public services, economic hardship, and lack of basic infrastructure, has devolved into a dangerous political vacuum that the military is now attempting to occupy. Among observers, some argue that this crisis should be handled through civil and democratic processes, not military intervention.
As of now, no major international actor has formally recognized the new military leadership. The coming days will be critical: a power grab of this magnitude raises serious questions about legitimacy, constitutional order, and whether Madagascar can avoid slipping into deeper instability or enduring autocratic rule.
