Col. Michael Randrianirina
Madagascar’s military leader, Col. Michael Randrianirina, has been sworn in as the new President of the country after a Gen Z protests ousted President Andry Rajoelina.
His swearing ceremony took place at the Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
A large crowd gathered to watch the swearing in ceremony which ushers in a new era Madagascar. Among the crowd were those led the protests.
Col. Randrianirina was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying he thanked young people for demanding change.
The President of the Constitutional Court, Florent Rakotoarisa, condemned the international community for saying the protests and the subsequent ousting of President Rajoelina amounted to coup.
According to him, there was no violation of the constitution in Madagascar.
He rather blamed the constitution for causing the situation to deteriorate.
The protests which began in September this year were organized initially by a youth movement known as Gen Z Madagascar. They were angered by persistent power and water shortages.
Who is the new President?
Col Randrianirina was the head of Madagascar’s elite CAPSAT army unit.
But on Tuesday his troops joined the thousands of protesters on the streets of the capital.
He told the Gen Z demonstrators he was taking power and that the military would form a government and hold elections within two years.
Pro-democracy advocates, both in and outside Madagascar are hoping that this promise will be fulfilled.
