In a whirlwind week that has upended Madagascar’s fragile political order, Colonel Michael Randrianirina—a man who, until recently, operated largely in the shadows—has emerged as the new president of the Indian Ocean nation. Sworn in on October 17, 2025, at the High Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, Randrianirina’s lightning-fast ascent followed a military coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina and sent shockwaves through a country already worn thin by crisis and unrest.
The chain of events began just three days before Randrianirina’s inauguration. In late September, a wave of youth-led protests, spearheaded by a movement known as Gen Z Mada, swept the streets of the capital. What started as frustration over chronic water and electricity outages quickly escalated into broader anger at government corruption, soaring living costs, and a lack of opportunity. According to the United Nations, at least 22 people lost their lives during the initial crackdowns by security forces, a grim testament to the volatility simmering beneath the surface.
As the protests gained momentum, Randrianirina’s elite CAPSAT unit joined demonstrators in Antananarivo, dramatically shifting the balance of power. On a Saturday in early October, the colonel, riding atop an armored vehicle, became the visible face of the uprising. His public call for President Rajoelina’s resignation marked a decisive turn. As Reuters reported, the sight of a military leader openly siding with protesters electrified the crowds and signaled that the tide had irreversibly turned against the incumbent regime.
President Rajoelina, who himself rose to power in a 2009 coup and had been reelected in 2018, fled the country as the rebellion unfolded. He reportedly escaped on a French military plane, later claiming his life was in danger. In his absence, Madagascar’s parliament moved swiftly, impeaching him on October 14. The High Constitutional Court, despite allegations from Rajoelina’s office that its judges were threatened, ratified Randrianirina’s presidency, setting the stage for a new era of military-backed rule.
For many, Randrianirina’s rise is as surprising as it is dramatic. Born in 1974 in the impoverished southern village of Sevohipoty, Androy region, he steadily climbed the military ranks, serving as governor of Androy from 2016 to 2018 and later commanding an infantry battalion in Atsimo-Andrefana. By 2022, he had been promoted to a senior leadership role in CAPSAT, the very unit that would later play a pivotal role in the coup.
Yet, his career was not without setbacks. In November 2023, Randrianirina was arrested and accused of plotting a mutiny just before the presidential election. He was detained for about three months, spending most of that time in a military hospital rather than the notorious Tsiafahy Prison. Upon his release in early February 2024, he and another officer found themselves working "in the shadows," as he described to the Associated Press, with no official command posts and little public profile.
Despite this period of limbo, Randrianirina remained a vocal critic of Rajoelina, often contrasting the president’s promises with the harsh realities faced by ordinary Madagascans. His reputation for discipline and pragmatism, coupled with growing disillusionment among the youth, set the stage for his eventual emergence as a leader during the 2025 protests. As one young protester, Emmanuel Rabemanantsoa, told the Associated Press, "The previous president failed to listen to the youth—and this is the result."
Randrianirina’s first days as president have been marked by pledges to break from the past and address the systemic issues that fueled the protests. In his inaugural speech, he called for peace, unity, and a "profound change in the way our country is governed." He has also promised to investigate the troubled state-run electricity and water company, a move that signals a hands-on approach to the country’s most pressing challenges.
"We are committed to breaking with the past," Randrianirina said in an interview with the BBC, vowing to tackle the chronic shortages and restore the country’s dignity. He further emphasized his commitment to national identity by refusing to respond in French during the interview, declaring, "Why can’t I speak my language, Malagasy?" This stance resonated with many who see the persistence of colonial influence as an obstacle to true self-determination.
Despite the celebratory mood among supporters—who cheered as Randrianirina’s troops paraded through the capital—his presidency has not been universally welcomed. The African Union quickly suspended Madagascar’s membership, denouncing the coup as an unconstitutional change of government. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres echoed this condemnation, calling for a "return to constitutional order and the rule of law." The European Union, meanwhile, urged the restoration of "democratic values" through national dialogue.
Within Madagascar, skepticism lingers over whether the military’s embrace of the youth-led uprising was a genuine act of solidarity or a calculated bid for power. Some analysts have questioned if the Gen Z protests were co-opted by the armed forces, noting that the country has a long history of coups and attempted coups since gaining independence in 1960.
Randrianirina has announced that Madagascar will be governed by a military council, with himself as president, for a transitional period of 18 months to two years before new elections are held. This means that the young people who inspired the uprising may have to wait longer than they hoped to see a civilian leader of their choosing. Nevertheless, Randrianirina has sought to reassure the public of his intentions, telling the Associated Press, "From now on, we will restore the country to its former glory, fight against insecurity, and gradually try to solve the social problems that Malagasy people experience."
The road ahead is fraught with challenges. The brief but deadly clash between CAPSAT soldiers and gendarmerie forces loyal to Rajoelina, in which one CAPSAT soldier was killed, is a stark reminder of the risks that come with abrupt power shifts. International isolation, economic instability, and the ever-present threat of renewed unrest loom large.
Yet, for now, Randrianirina’s rise has captured the hopes and frustrations of a generation eager for change. His ability to deliver on promises of reform, navigate the demands of military and civilian governance, and restore international confidence will determine whether this turning point becomes a new beginning or just another chapter in Madagascar’s turbulent history.