In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated both the African continent and the international community, Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar’s president on Friday, October 17, 2025, following a military coup that toppled former President Andry Rajoelina. The inauguration, held in the capital city of Antananarivo, drew large crowds and foreign dignitaries, including representatives from the United States, as the island nation entered yet another phase of its tumultuous political history.
The coup was the culmination of three weeks of intense, youth-led protests—driven primarily by the so-called "Gen Z" movement—against chronic power outages, water shortages, and a lack of economic opportunities. According to United Nations figures reported by CBS News, the unrest left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured. The protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations, quickly escalated as frustration mounted over the government’s inability to provide basic services to the country’s 32 million citizens, nearly 80% of whom live below the poverty line, according to World Bank statistics.
As the situation in Antananarivo deteriorated, Randrianirina, then commander of the Army Corps of Personnel and Administrative and Technical Services (CAPSAT), released a video urging soldiers to support the student protest leaders. This call to action proved pivotal: within hours, his military unit mutinied and joined the demonstrators, tipping the balance of power and plunging the capital into chaos. Soldiers and police clashed openly in the streets, and the absence of President Rajoelina became glaringly apparent.
Speculation about Rajoelina’s whereabouts ran rampant. French media, as cited by Deutsche Welle and CBS News, reported that the embattled president was evacuated by French forces to Reunion Island before traveling on to Dubai. In a statement carried by AFP, Rajoelina claimed he fled Madagascar between October 11 and 12 due to "explicit and extremely serious threats" to his life. His absence only fueled the growing discontent, and on October 14, the National Assembly impeached him for desertion of duty—a move swiftly upheld by Madagascar’s highest court.
With the government in disarray—"Nothing is working in Madagascar, there is no president, no president of the senate, no president of the government," Randrianirina declared in a street appearance, according to CBS News—the military seized control. By Friday, Randrianirina had shed his military uniform for a suit and tie, taking the oath of office before a crowd that included both politicians and the young activists whose protests had paved the way for the upheaval.
"Madagascar had been propelled to a historic turning point, with a people in full fervor, driven by the desire for change and a deep love for their homeland," Randrianirina said during the swearing-in ceremony, as reported by CBS News. He pledged to "joyfully open a new chapter in the life of our nation," vowing to defend national unity and human rights—though critics remain skeptical of his intentions.
International reaction was swift and overwhelmingly critical. The United Nations, through Secretary-General António Guterres, condemned "the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar" and called for a "return to constitutional order and the rule of law," according to his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. The African Union echoed these sentiments, suspending Madagascar’s membership and demanding immediate elections and a return to civilian rule. Both organizations expressed concern over the precedent set by yet another military takeover in a former French colony—joining the ranks of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon, which have all experienced coups in recent years.
Randrianirina, for his part, has consistently denied that the events constituted a coup. "I don’t think there was a coup. The army is just showing the Malagasy people that we still exist," he told journalists, as quoted by CBS News. He emphasized that the new government would not be a purely military regime, stating, "Madagascar has not chosen a military regime. The government belongs to civilians. The presidential council is also composed of military and civilians," according to Deutsche Welle.
Nevertheless, the new president wasted little time in consolidating power. Most civil institutions have been suspended, and a new military council—composed of army and police officers—has been established to lead the nation during what Randrianirina described as a "transitional" period. He vowed to appoint a civilian prime minister and to organize elections within two years, a promise that has been met with cautious optimism by some and outright skepticism by others.
Many of the young protesters who helped spark the uprising were present at the inauguration and welcomed Randrianirina’s ascent. Still, they cautioned that their demands for a people-centered government remain unfulfilled. As OkayAfrica reported, "Many Gen Z protesters welcomed the inauguration but warned their demands for a people-centered government remain unmet." Their continued vigilance suggests that Randrianirina’s government may face ongoing pressure to deliver tangible improvements in everyday life.
Madagascar’s chronic poverty and underdevelopment provide a sobering backdrop to the political drama. The country ranks among the bottom ten on the United Nations Human Development Index, and only 36% of its citizens have access to electricity—much of it unreliable due to frequent outages, according to Deutsche Welle. Despite its rich natural resources, Madagascar remains one of the world’s poorest nations, a reality that fueled the recent wave of protests and will likely shape the challenges facing the new administration.
This is not the first time Madagascar has experienced a military-led transition. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has seen coups in 1972 and 2009, both of which installed military commanders as heads of state. Each episode of instability has further eroded public trust in government and made international partners wary of engagement.
As Colonel Randrianirina embarks on his presidency, the world will be watching closely. The promises of reform, unity, and a swift return to civilian rule will be tested not just by the skepticism of international observers, but by the determination of Madagascar’s youth—who have already demonstrated their willingness to take to the streets in pursuit of a better future. Whether the new regime can break the cycle of instability and deliver real change remains to be seen, but for now, Madagascar stands at yet another crossroads, its fate uncertain but its people undeterred.