Madagascar

Colonel Randrianirina Sworn in as Madagascar's President

OCT 17 2025·Updated OCT 18 2025

Story

Above: Colonel Michael Randrianirina (C) in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Oct. 14, 2025. Image credit: Rafalia Henitsoa/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Facts

Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar's president at the High Constitutional Court in Antananarivo on Friday, taking an oath to fulfill his responsibilities, while "defending and strengthening national unity and human rights."
Al Jazeera
Reuters
The military takeover followed three weeks of youth-led protests by "Gen Z" groups demanding better government services. Demonstrations were initially triggered by chronic water and electricity shortages affecting the nation.
BBC News
Moroccoworldnews
Former President Andry Rajoelina fled Madagascar over the weekend after facing impeachment by lawmakers, saying he left the African island nation for a "safe place" and claiming his life was in danger amid the military rebellion. Rajoelina's whereabouts remain unknown.
The Associated Press
South China Morning Post
Randrianirina commanded the elite CAPSAT military unit that initially supported the 2009 coup, bringing Rajoelina to power. However, he broke ranks last week, refusing orders to fire on protesters and joining the demonstrations.
RFI
The Straits Times
The U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the "unconstitutional change of government," calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional order, and the African Union also announced the deployment of a high-level delegation to Madagascar.
UN Press
African Union on X
Madagascar's population of approximately 30 million has an average age of under 20 years. Three-quarters live in poverty, as its GDP per capita has declined 45% since independence from France in 1960.
RFI
The East African

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Madagascar's military takeover is a genuine people's revolution where youth protesters finally found military allies willing to stand with them against a corrupt regime. The Gen Z-led demonstrations against chronic poverty, water outages and government corruption gained unstoppable momentum when Colonel Randrianirina courageously joined the cause. This awakening of the people promises real change after decades of failed leadership.

France 24

Narrative B

Madagascar's military coup is another unconstitutional power grab that undermines democratic governance and regional stability. The African Union rightfully suspended the country, while the U.N. condemned this illegal seizure of power that violates constitutional order. International isolation and diplomatic consequences will only worsen conditions for ordinary Madagascans who deserve legitimate democratic leadership, not military rule.