Navy chief to take his oath as president on Friday as African Union requires the restoration of civilian rule.
Printed On 16 Oct 2025
Madagascar‘s new navy chief, who got here to energy on the again of a preferred rebel, has introduced that he might be sworn in because the nation’s president, defying the choice of the African Union (AU) to droop the island nation’s membership.
The navy 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 might 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 navy takeover.
In an announcement to the AFP information company late on Wednesday, Rajoelina mentioned he left the nation between October 11 and 12 after “express and very critical threats had been made towards the lifetime of the Head of State”.
In accordance with information experiences, Rajoelina was evacuated on Sunday on board a French navy aircraft.
On Monday, Rajoelina mentioned he had taken refuge in a “secure place” with out giving additional particulars.
Rajoelina has remained silent about the potential for returning to the nation.
Randrianirina mentioned earlier that the navy had taken energy and dissolved all establishments besides the Nationwide Meeting.
He additionally mentioned a committee led by the navy 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 developed into probably the most critical 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 function 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 underneath navy management since 2020, after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon and Guinea.
On Wednesday, the AU suspended Madagascar as a member with fast impact following the coup, and known 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.
