(3 Minutes Read)
The military takeover — which came after three weeks of anti-government protests by mainly young people — has been condemned by the United Nations and led to Madagascar being suspended from the African Union.
Col. Michael Randrianirina, the commander of an elite army unit, Madagascar, sworn -in as the new president at a ceremony in the main chamber of the nation’s High Constitutional Court. In his maiden speech after assuming the role of President, he promised to “respect and safeguard” the constitution and the rule of law.
Randrianirina’s ascent to the presidency has been has been quick and swift. Only, three days ago, he took the power of the Indian Ocean Island, where more than thirty million people live.
The military takeover — which came after three weeks of anti-government protests by mainly young people — has been condemned by the United Nations and led to Madagascar being suspended from the African Union. Following the coup, President Andry Rajoelina fled the country. His whereabouts are unknown.
Madagascar will be run by a military council with him as president for between 18 months and two years before any new elections, meaning young people who inspired the uprising against Rajoelina may have a long wait before they are able to choose their new leader.
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Young Madagascans first took to the streets last month to rail against regular water and power outages, but have raised other issues, including the cost of living, the lack of opportunities and alleged corruption and nepotism by the elite.
