Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina was officially sworn in as Madagascar’s new president on Friday, following a recent military takeover that forced former leader Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.
Randrianirina, who commanded the CAPSAT army unit that joined anti-government demonstrators over the weekend, took the presidential oath before the nation’s top court in Antananarivo, witnessed by AFP correspondents.
“Today marks a defining moment for our nation,” he declared. “With a people united by their desire for change and love for their country, we are opening a new chapter in Madagascar’s history.”
The inauguration, led by the head of the constitutional court, was attended by senior military officials, political figures, members of the youth-led protest movement, and representatives from several foreign missions, including the United States, European Union, Russia, and France.
Randrianirina pledged to collaborate with all sectors of society to draft a new constitution and electoral laws to guide upcoming elections and referendums.
“We are determined to move beyond the failures of the past,” he said. “Our priority is to rebuild Madagascar’s governance structure — reforming its administrative, economic, and political systems to better serve the people.”