Colonel Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as the new President of Madagascar, just days after a military takeover that forced former President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.
Randrianirina, who led the CAPSAT army unit that mutinied and joined anti-government protesters over the weekend, took the presidential oath on Friday at a ceremony held at the nation’s top court in Antananarivo.
“Today marks a historic turning point for our country. With a people in full fervor, driven by the desire for change and a deep love for their homeland, we joyfully open a new chapter in the life of our nation,” Randrianirina declared during the ceremony.
The swearing-in event, presided over by the head of the Constitutional Court, was attended by senior military officers, political leaders, youth representatives from the Gen Z protest movement, and foreign delegations from the United States, European Union, Russia, and France.
Randrianirina expressed gratitude to the youth who led the protests that ousted the former administration, pledging to work collaboratively with all national stakeholders.
“We will work hand in hand with all the driving forces of the nation to draft a fine constitution and to agree on new electoral laws for the organisation of elections and referendums,” he said.
He further vowed to usher in a new era of governance in Madagascar.
“We are committed to breaking with the past. Our main mission is to thoroughly reform the country’s administrative, socio-economic, and political systems of governance,” Randrianirina stated.
