Madagascar’s new army ruler, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, is set to be sworn in as president of the country, confirming the end of former leader Andry Rajoelina’s time in power.
The ceremony follows a military takeover prompted by weeks of youth-led protests and widespread unrest.
Colonel Randrianirina, the commander of the elite Capsat army unit, announced that he would take his oath as Madagascar’s new army ruler on Friday, October 17, 2025.
Colonel Randrianirina also announced that the country’s High Constitutional Court will perform the swearing-in ceremony.
“Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as the President for the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar during a formal hearing.
“It wasn’t a coup, it was a case of taking responsibility because the country was on the brink of collapse,” the statement reads in part.
Madagascar‘s new military ruler, who came to power on the back of a popular rebellion, also announced the military had taken power and dissolved all institutions except the National Assembly.
He also said a committee led by the military would rule for up to two years alongside a transitional government before organising new elections.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the statement from Madagascar’s new army ruler comes after former President Andry Rajoelina was impeached by the country’s lawmakers and is facing an army rebellion.
Rajoelina, in a press statement made available to the media on Wednesday confirmed that he had fled from Madagascar. He said he left the country on October 12, 2025, after “explicit and extremely serious threats were made against the life of the Head of State”.
It was also gathered that Rajoelina was evacuated on Sunday on board a French military plane.
On Monday, Rajoelina said he had taken refuge in a “safe place” without giving further details.
Rajoelina has remained silent about the possibility of returning to the country.
African Union Reacts
Meanwhile, the African Union has reacted to the situation in Madagascar, announcing its decision to suspend the country “with immediate effect”
The union said the decision became necessary after a coup saw an elite army unit seize power following President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment.
“The country is suspended with immediate effect,” AU Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said.
Also speaking at the 1306th session of the AU Peace & Security Council, the AU Chairperson reaffirmed the Union’s unwavering stance: respect for constitutional order & peaceful resolution of disputes.
He condemned any unconstitutional change of government, urged a coordinated AU–SADC–IOC response, & called for a fact-finding mission to guide the AU’s next steps.
“The rule of law must prevail over the rule of force. Our approach is grounded in law and dialogue”, he added.
Suspension by the 55-member bloc carries political weight and could isolate the country’s new leadership.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the emergence of Madagascar’s New Army leader came after weeks of deadly “Gen-Z” protests, which initially erupted over power and water shortages, and evolved into the most serious crisis the country and Rajoelina’s government had faced in years.
The new army leader, Randrianirina was a commander in the elite CAPSAT army unit that played a key role in the 2009 coup, which brought Rajoelina to power, but broke ranks with him last week, urging soldiers not to fire on protesters.
Madagascar is the latest of several former French colonies to have fallen under military control since 2020, after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea.
