In a momentous ceremony at the Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, Col Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar’s new president, marking a dramatic shift in the political landscape of the Indian Ocean nation. The event, attended by a jubilant crowd, came days after a military takeover that forced former President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country and culminated in his impeachment.  

Col Randrianirina, who until recently led Madagascar’s elite CAPSAT army unit, traded his military fatigues for a suit and delivered a stirring speech, thanking the young protesters whose weeks of relentless demonstrations had paved the way for this historic transition. “Today marks a historic turning point for our country. With a people in full fervor, driven by the desire for change, we joyfully open a new chapter in the life of our nation,” he declared, his words met with cheers from the crowd.  

The protests, organized by the youth movement Gen Z Mada, began last month in response to persistent power and water shortages that have plagued the country. What started as a grassroots movement quickly escalated into a nationwide demand for change, with thousands taking to the streets of the capital. Col Randrianirina, who joined the protesters with his troops last Tuesday, assured the demonstrators that he was taking power to restore order and promised to hold elections within two years.  

The swearing-in ceremony, punctuated by the blare of trumpets, saw Randrianirina take the oath of office, vowing to “dedicate all my strength to defending and strengthening national unity and human rights.” Wearing the official sash and star of office, he outlined his vision for a reformed Madagascar, pledging to work with all sectors of society to draft a new constitution and implement electoral reforms before the next vote.  

“We are committed to breaking with the past,” he said. “Our main mission is to thoroughly reform the country’s administrative, socio-economic, and political systems of governance.”  

The transition, however, is not without its challenges. Madagascar now enters a period of political uncertainty, with legal and constitutional hurdles likely to test the new administration. Constitutional Court President Florent Rakotoarisoa defended the transition, rejecting international criticism that labeled the military’s intervention as a coup. He argued that the constitution itself had contributed to the crisis, rather than the military’s actions violating it.  

Protesters had initially hoped for a peaceful resignation from Rajoelina, who instead dissolved his government and engaged in a series of dialogues in a bid to retain power. These efforts, however, failed to quell the growing unrest, ultimately leading to his ouster.  

In his first press conference as president, Randrianirina outlined his immediate priorities, starting with an investigation into the state-owned water and power company, Jirama. “Today and tomorrow, we will examine the situation at Jirama—what is happening there and what problems currently exist. This review aims to prevent further difficulties in the future. That is our first social priority,” he said.  

He also highlighted the importance of rice farming as the agricultural season approaches and emphasized the need to appoint a prime minister and form a government swiftly.  

The new administration’s foreign policy is also under scrutiny. Like other former French colonies in Africa that have experienced coups in recent years, Madagascar appears poised to recalibrate its international relations. Randrianirina’s meeting with Russian embassy officials on Thursday hinted at a potential shift toward warmer ties with Moscow, a move that has already garnered support from some protesters who were seen waving Russian flags during the demonstrations.  

As Madagascar embarks on this new chapter, the world watches with cautious optimism. For the Gen Z protesters who risked everything to demand change, Randrianirina’s ascent to power represents a hard-fought victory. Yet, the true test of this historic moment lies in the new administration’s ability to deliver on its promises and steer the nation toward a brighter, more stable future.