Madagascar’s military leader thanks Gen Z protesters as he swears in

Col Michael Randriarina was sworn in as the new President of Madagascar days after taking over the Indian nation.

He exchanged his faded clothes and thanked the young people who had taken to the streets for weeks in protests urging President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country and lead him to become his mouthpiece.

The ceremony took place at the Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo, where a large crowd gathered to watch – including those leading the demonstrations.

“Today marks the turning point of our country. It is a people in full power, driven by the desire for change… We happily open a new chapter in the life of our nation,” he said.

The former French colony is now entering a period of transition, which will be fraught with political obstacles and legal uncertainty – although there is a defiant optimism about Rol Randriirina’s leadership.

The Constitutional Court of President Florent Rakotoroarisoa criticized the international community for describing the situation in Madagascar as a coup.

He denied that there had been a violation of the Constitution in Madagascar, instead blaming the Constitution for making the situation worse.

Protesters hoped Rajoelina would simply step down and pave the way for a smooth, democratic transition.

Instead, he clung to power, ending his government and holding a series of talks with different groups of people, efforts that were enough to please the protesters.

The protests, which began last month, were initially organized by a youth group known as Gen Z Mada – Instigated by the power of persistence and water scarcity.

Col Randrinirina was the Head of the Madagascar Elite Capsat Army, where his forces were mobilized on Tuesday and joined thousands of protesters in the streets of the capital.

He told Gen Z the demonstrators who were seizing power and that the military would form a government and hold elections within two years.

Democracy advocates working for democracy, inside and outside the country, hope that this promise will be fulfilled.

In a ceremony at the Supreme Court of the country, Reuters News Agency reports that the Trumpets came after Randriarina took her oath, promising to “dedicate all my strength to protecting and strengthening national unity and human rights”.

Wearing the official Sash and Star of Office, he reaffirmed his commitment to change.

“We will work with all the driving forces of the nation to write a good Constitution,” he said, adding that electoral reforms would be established before a new vote was held.

“We are committed to breaking with the past. Our main objective is to positively change the country’s administrative, economic and political systems.”

After the ceremony, the new President spoke to journalists outside the Constitutional Court and explained in detail what he considers to be his priorities.

He said he would start by building an investigation into the state-owned power and energy company, Jirama.

“Today and tomorrow, we will assess the situation in Jirama – What is happening there and what are the current problems. This review is primarily social,” he said.

“The second priority is rice farming. As we enter the agricultural season, we must assess how we should continue.

“What has been decided for the third time is the appointment of the Prime Minister and the formation of the government.”

Like other French colonies in Africa that have received coups in recent years, it is written that the relationship with France can also change under his leadership with the kind of warmth that Russia wants.

On Thursday, Randriarina attended a meeting with Russian diplomatic officials who reportedly discussed “great cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier during the protests, people were seen in the streets raising Russian flags to protest Moscow’s intervention.

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