CAPSAT military unit commander Col. Michael Randrianirina waits to be sworn in as President at the main chamber of the nation's High Constitutional Court, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. BRIAN INGANGA / AP
Madagascar's new head of state on Monday, October 20, named a civilian prime minister, following a military takeover last week that sent ex-president Andry Rajoelina fleeing.
Army colonel Michaël Randrianirina, who announced Tuesday that the military had taken power after Rajoelina was impeached for desertion of duty following weeks of protests, was sworn in as president Friday.
Randrianirina promised sweeping change and new elections in the poverty-stricken island nation, where anger over chronic power cuts sparked the demonstrations last month that swiftly escalated into a mass anti-government movement.
Following consultations with the national assembly, Randrianirina chose Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, a figure of the private sector and former chairman of the Malagasy bank BNI, as new premier on Monday.
