- Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT army unit, was sworn in as Madagascar’s president following a military coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina.
- The coup followed three weeks of youth-led protests over chronic electricity and water outages, high living costs, and government corruption.
- Rajoelina fled the country after Randrianirina’s forces joined protesters and was later impeached in absentia.
- Randrianirina announced a military-led transitional government to rule for 18 months to two years before new elections, though analysts have expressed skepticism about the military returning power fully.
- The United Nations and African Union condemned the coup, with the AU suspending Madagascar’s membership. France, Madagascar’s former colonial ruler, has shown little reaction, though Rajoelina reportedly fled on a French military plane.
Madagascar Coup Leader Michael Randrianirina Sworn in as President
