Col. Michael Randrianirina has been inaugurated as the new president of Madagascar following a military takeover in the Indian Ocean nation. The ceremony occurred at the Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo, with a large crowd present, including many who took part in recent protests.
Randrianirina expressed gratitude to the youth who organized weeks of protests that led to the departure of President Andry Rajoelina and his subsequent impeachment. He described the day as a significant moment for the country, stating that it marks a new chapter in Madagascar’s history. The nation has now entered a transition phase characterized by political challenges and legal ambiguities, although there appears to be some optimism regarding Randrianirina’s leadership.
The Constitutional Court president, Florent Rakotoarisoa, has criticized the international community’s characterization of the events in Madagascar as a coup, arguing that the constitution contributed to the country’s political turmoil. The protests originally initiated by a youth group called Gen Z Mada stemmed from frustrations over ongoing power and water shortages. Rather than resigning to facilitate a smooth transition, Rajoelina maintained his hold on power, which failed to appease demonstrators.
Prior to his presidency, Randrianirina led Madagascar’s elite military unit and participated in the protests. He announced that the military would form a government and hold elections within two years. At his inauguration, he committed to fostering national unity and human rights while vowing to reform the country’s political and economic systems.
In his remarks to reporters, Randrianirina outlined his immediate priorities, including an investigation into the state-owned water and power utility, Jirama, and a focus on rice farming as the agricultural season begins. He also plans to appoint a prime minister and form a new government.
Furthermore, it has been suggested that under his governance, Madagascar may seek to redefine its international relations, potentially cultivating closer ties with Russia. Reports indicate that Randrianirina met with Russian embassy officials to discuss cooperation. Earlier, demonstrators were seen waving Russian flags, calling for assistance from Moscow.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7mn1n53jno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss