Colonel Michael Randrianirina Seizes Power in Military Coup and Sworn in as Madagascar President

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of an elite army unit, seized power in Madagascar after three weeks of youth-led protests over chronic water and electricity shortages, corruption, and economic hardship.

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The Times of India

He was sworn in at the High Constitutional Court as president three days later.

The Times of India

Multiple outlets report that President Andry Rajoelina fled the country and went into hiding.

The United Nations condemned the takeover as an unconstitutional change of government, and the African Union suspended Madagascar.

Coverage differs on the scale of violence: some emphasize a largely peaceful transition with isolated clashes, while others detail at least 22 deaths during a security crackdown amid the unrest.

Despite the international condemnations, several sources note a muted broader response from foreign governments.

Who Randrianirina is—and how he rose—varies by source.

Western and Asian mainstream outlets stress that he was the commander of an elite unit and had previously been imprisoned for an attempted mutiny, emerging from relative obscurity to lead the rebellion.

The Times of India

African and Francophone-focused reports add that he hails from the impoverished Androy region, previously served as governor there from 2016 to 2018, and had earlier commanded an infantry battalion.

Some West Asian coverage links him to the elite unit involved in the 2009 coup that first brought Rajoelina to power.

RFI highlights that he refused to order troops to fire on protesters and now casts himself as a caretaker focused on a 'national refoundation.'

The legality and sequence of Rajoelina’s removal is reported inconsistently.

“(OSV News) — Catholic Church leaders in Madagascar have urged a return to dialogue after the Indian Ocean island’s president was forced into exile by an Oct”

OSV News

Several outlets say lawmakers impeached Rajoelina shortly before the coup.

Others attribute impeachment to the Constitutional Court or say it occurred after he fled.

West Asian and Asian sources add that authorities framed the intervention as a move to prevent chaos, with constitutional backing.

International bodies denounced the intervention as unconstitutional.

Some reports note foreign diplomats and delegations attending the swearing-in, suggesting an effort at international legitimation.

Rajoelina’s allies denounce the takeover and allege judicial coercion.

Randrianirina announced a military-led transition, described as a council or committee, that would govern for 18 months to two years before elections.

Some reports added that all institutions except the National Assembly would be dissolved during this period.

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The inaugural pledges emphasized peace, unity, a break from harmful governance, and a 'national refoundation.'

Accounts differ on public reception and motives behind the transition.

Several local and mainstream outlets reported that many citizens and youth welcomed the change.

However, other analysts warned that the military may have exploited the uprising.

Some sources also noted that Rajoelina’s impeachment and flight immediately preceded the takeover.

International reaction has been sharply condemnatory from regional and global bodies but otherwise muted.

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France 24

The UN denounced the change as unconstitutional and the African Union suspended Madagascar.

France 24

Several reports say there was little significant response from other governments, including France.

Other outlets note striking international engagement around the inauguration: foreign delegations from the US, EU, Russia, and France reportedly attended.

Some reports allege France helped Rajoelina leave on a military plane.

Regional organizations launched fact-finding missions and expressed concern for stability and Madagascar’s environmental significance.

Many sources stress the island’s deep poverty, youth demographics, and history of repeated coups.