Madagascar military leader sworn in as president after youth-led protests
Col Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as the new president of Madagascar, days after a military takeover in the Indian Ocean nation. He exchanged his military uniform for a suit to succeed ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country and was later impeached following weeks of youth-led protests demanding greater accountability from his government.
The ceremony took place at the Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, where a large crowd gathered to watch – including those who spearheaded the protests.
“Today marks a historic turning-point for our country,” the AFP news agency quotes the new president as saying, as he thanked young people for demanding change.
The country is now entering a transition period, marked by political obstacles and legal uncertainty – although there is cautious optimism about Col Randrianirina’s leadership. Constitutional Court president Florent Rakotoarisoa has criticized the international community for describing the situation in Madagascar as a coup.
He argued that there was no constitutional violation in Madagascar, instead blaming the constitution for the situation’s deterioration.
Protesters had hoped that Rajoelina would simply step down and facilitate a smooth, democratic transition. Instead, he maintained control, dissolving his government and holding a series of dialogues with different groups, efforts that were inadequate to appease the protesters.
The protests, which began last month, were initially organized by a youth movement known as Gen Z Mada – angered by persistent power and water shortages.
Col Randrianirina was head of Madagascar’s elite CAPSAT army unit when his troops joined the thousands of protesters on the streets of the capital on Tuesday.
He told the Gen Z demonstrators that he was assuming control and that the military would form a government and hold elections within two years.
Pro-democracy advocates both domestically and internationally are optimistic that this promise will be honored.
At the swearing-in ceremony at the country’s highest court, Reuters news agency reports that upon Randrianirina’s oath of office, trumpets blared as he vowed to dedicate all his strength to safeguarding and strengthening national unity and human rights.
Donning an official sash and star of office, he reaffirmed his commitment to change, according to AFP.
With the people fervently desiring change, we are thrilled to embark on a new chapter in our nation’s life. We will work in tandem with all the nation’s driving forces to draft a fine constitution and institute electoral reforms before the next vote.
We are committed to breaking with the past and our main mission is to thoroughly reform the country’s administrative, socio-economic, and political systems of governance.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
