Kathmandu – Antananarivo, Madagascar after weeks of escalating protests led by Gen Z youth, Madagascar has experienced a dramatic change in leadership.
President Andry Rajoelina, who has ruled since 2009, was forced to flee the country, marking the collapse of his government. In the wake of his departure, Colonel Michael Randrianyirina, a senior officer of the CAPSAT military unit, declared himself the interim president of Madagascar.
Randrianyirina, in an interview, stated that he would formally take the oath of office soon, following a military-backed coup. The crisis erupted after the president’s approval ratings plummeted, especially among the younger generation, leading to widespread unrest.
In a major shift, Randrianyirina and his elite military unit, CAPSAT, revolted over the weekend and, aligning with protesters, demanded that Rajoelina resign. On Monday, he confirmed that there was no active government, including the president, prime minister, or parliament, and took responsibility for the nation’s leadership.
The Constitutional Court has also endorsed Randrianyirina’s new role as interim president, offering legal legitimacy to his actions. He has vowed to form a new government immediately, with plans to appoint a new prime minister to address the ongoing crisis.
Rajoelina, who has been in power since 2009, called the military intervention “illegal” and claimed he fled to protect his life. The country has experienced multiple overthrows since gaining independence from France in 1960, with Rajoelina himself rising to power with military support during a coup in 2009.
As Madagascar navigates this political turmoil, the role of the military and the youth protests remains crucial in shaping the country’s future leadership.
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