• Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar's president following a military coup.
• Former President Andry Rajoelina was impeached and fled the country amid protests.
• The coup was precipitated by youth-led demonstrations seeking accountability and better living conditions.
• Randrianirina promises elections within 18 to 24 months and a transition to civilian governance.
• The military's role in the new government has garnered both support and condemnation from international bodies.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar's president on October 17, 2025, in a ceremony at the High Constitutional Court following a military coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina. This swift change in leadership came after weeks of youth-led protests demanding accountability and better living conditions, resulting in over 22 deaths during unrest, according to UN reports, and fueled by widespread discontent over chronic power shortages and high living costs, as noted by Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

Randrianirina, previously a commander of an elite army unit, took control after Rajoelina fled the nation amidst fears for his safety, reportedly evacuating with the assistance of a French military plane. His ascendance marks the third military transition in Madagascar since independence in 1960, following coups in 1972 and 2009, as detailed by Reuters and BBC.

The new military president has pledged to govern cooperatively with a civilian administration, promising elections within 18 to 24 months to address the growing discontent among the populace. Although his takeover was celebrated by many protesters, both the United Nations and the African Union condemned the military action as an unconstitutional change of government, leading to Madagascar's suspension from the African Union, as reported by Africanews, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

As Randrianirina takes office, he is expected to focus on reforms, including overhauling the electoral system and improving essential services, while navigating the political challenges that lie ahead. The military’s transition back to civilian rule may seek to address both the aspirations of the youth who protested for change and the pressures from international observers, as highlighted by India Times and Africanews.