Rapid power shift and regional reactions

Madagascar swore in army colonel Michael Randrianirina as president after a whirlwind military takeover that toppled the civilian government and sent the ousted leader into hiding. The oath at the High Constitutional Court capped three weeks of youth-led protests that spiraled into a power grab by an elite unit known as CAPSAT. Randrianirina’s ascension took just three days from the announcement of military control to a formal inauguration—an unusually swift transition even by the island nation’s turbulent standards. The United Nations condemned the move as an unconstitutional change of government, while key partners offered cautious statements and watched for signs of further unrest.

What changes first, and who pushes back

The new leader inherits a country of 30 million with deep poverty, heavy dependence on commodity exports like vanilla, and a history of contested transitions. Early signals suggest the junta-turned-presidency will try to consolidate order and stabilize basic services, while sidestepping immediate elections. The African Union suspended Madagascar, adding pressure on the new authorities to outline a political roadmap that includes a credible timetable for civilian rule. Street energy remains volatile; any heavy-handed response could reignite protests and spook investors just as basic prices and joblessness weigh on daily life.