ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the commander who led Madagascar’s military coup this week, has declared that he is “taking the position of president” and that the armed forces will govern the country for up to two years before new elections are organized.
Speaking from his barracks in Antananarivo, Randrianirina said he expects to be formally sworn in within days. He explained that the military’s transitional rule will last “at least 18 months, at most two years,” describing the takeover as an effort to “restore order and stability” after what he called the collapse of government authority.
Background of the Coup
The coup followed weeks of youth-led demonstrations under the banner “Gen Z Madagascar,” demanding jobs, better governance, and solutions to power and water shortages. The protests, joined by labor unions and civic groups, drew tens of thousands into the streets.
President Andry Rajoelina, who had been in power since 2018 and previously led a 2009 coup, fled the country on Tuesday, saying he feared for his life after the military switched sides.
Madagascar, an island nation of about 30 million people off Africa’s east coast, is the world’s top producer of vanilla but continues to struggle with deep poverty and infrastructure challenges.
Randrianirina’s Justification
Colonel Randrianirina said the High Constitutional Court invited him to assume the presidency in Rajoelina’s absence. He added that a new prime minister will soon be appointed “so that the crisis in the country does not last forever.”
However, the claim has been questioned, as the military had earlier suspended the court’s powers, raising doubts about the legality of his takeover. Rajoelina’s camp has accused the colonel of threatening judges into endorsing his leadership.
Youth Movement and Public Reaction
Many protesters celebrated the soldiers’ arrival in the capital, waving national flags and chanting support for the military. “This was an awakening of the people,” said Safika, a youth protest leader. “The military listened to us.”
Eighteen-year-old university student Shaniah Rakotohania described the uprising as “a call for a future with opportunity and dignity.”
International and Regional Responses
The African Union announced Madagascar’s immediate suspension from its activities until constitutional order is restored.
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed “deep concern over the unconstitutional change of power” and urged all parties to work toward a peaceful and inclusive resolution.
Observers across Africa and abroad have voiced concern that, while the protests reflected genuine social frustrations, military intervention could derail democratic progress.
“This was a civil society uprising, and its resolution should not involve the military,” said Professor Olufemi Taiwo, an expert on African governance.
What Lies Ahead
The new leadership has promised to form a transitional council to manage state affairs and prepare for eventual elections. But questions remain about timelines, legitimacy, and the role of civil society in shaping Madagascar’s political future.
For now, the nation stands at a crossroads — between reform and regression, between the hopes of its youth and the heavy hand of its military.
