Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the CAPSAT unit and key figure in the military mutiny, will be sworn in as interim president of Madagascar, promising a civilian transition
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, 51, has become the face of political change in Madagascar, after leading the military uprising that forced the ouster of former president Andry Rajoelina.
On Friday, he will be sworn in as interim president before the nation’s high court, vowing to guide the country toward civilian rule “within two years at most.”
As commander of CAPSAT —an army division in charge of logistics and personnel— Randrianirina told reporters there had been “no coup,” but rather “a legal process to restore order.” His rise comes amid widespread unrest led by Generation Z, whose protests began on September 25 over unemployment, corruption, and state repression.
CAPSAT’s refusal to fire on demonstrators was decisive. The move earned the soldiers the support of thousands of young protesters in Antananarivo, the capital.
“The army was seen as the last bastion of peace,” said analyst Velomahanina Razakamaharavo. “Randrianirina’s image as a disciplined man of faith embodies the hope for a fresh start.”
The colonel is no stranger to controversy. In 2023, he was arrested for allegedly conspiring against Rajoelina’s government and sentenced to one year’s probation. After regaining his freedom, he quietly resumed his military duties until September, when he reemerged as the leader of the mutiny that led to Rajoelina’s exile.
CAPSAT’s role carries historical weight in Madagascar’s politics. The same unit led the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power after ousting Marc Ravalomanana. Then-colonels Charles Andrianasoavina and Lylison René de Rolland led that uprising —and Rolland stood again beside Randrianirina during the latest revolt.
The new military leader has promised elections within 18 to 24 months and a “deep restructuring” of state institutions. His priorities, he said, are to stabilize the economy and restore public trust, especially among young people. Across Africa, where military takeovers have resurged in recent years, Madagascar’s case could set a new precedent.
Randrianirina insists his role will be temporary and that power “will return to civilians as soon as possible.” However, the international community remains cautious. The African Union and the UN have urged the new government to ensure a swift return to constitutional order and avoid prolonged military control.
“We are in a process of national reconstruction,” Randrianirina said in his first public appearance after assuming power. “We will work hard not to disappoint the people. This is a decisive moment for the armed forces —and for Madagascar.”
