Army colonel sworn in as Madagascar president

AFP | Antananarivo

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Army colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar’s president yesterday, just days after a military power grab that sent ex-president Andry Rajoelina fleeing and raised international alarm about a new coup on the island.

Randrianirina led the CAPSAT army unit that mutinied and joined anti-government protesters before announcing the military had taken over after Rajoelina was impeached for desertion of duty on Tuesday.

“Today marks a historic turning point for our country,” he said after taking the presidential oath.

“We will work hand in hand with all the driving forces of the nation to draft a fine constitution... and to agree on new electoral laws for the organisation of elections and referendums,” he said.

He also thanked the youth for spearheading the protests that ousted Rajoelina and said the army had intervened at the request of the top court to “avoid anarchy and disorder”.

The ceremony in the capital Antananarivo was attended by military officers, politicians, representatives of the Gen Z youth-led protest movement and several foreign delegations including from the United States, the European Union, Russia and France.