Michael Randrianirina

Last updated

His Excellency
Colonel
Michael Randrianirina
Michael Randrianirina in February 2026.jpg
Randrianirina in 2026
President of Madagascar
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 October 2025 [a] [b]

Michael Randrianirina (born 1974) is a Malagasy military officer and politician who has served as President of Madagascar and as President of the Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic of Madagascar since 2025, after being confirmed by the High Constitutional Court following the 2025 Malagasy coup d'état.

Contents

Born in the village of Sevohipoty in Madagascar’s Androy region at the southern tip of the Indian Ocean, he came to power after being imprisoned and later joining protests against the previous administration. He previously served as Governor of Androy from 2016 to 2018 and later became a senior military commander and head of the CAPSAT unit.

Early Life, Political, and Military Career

Micheal Randrianirina was born in 1974 in the village of Sevohipoty, located in Madagascar’s Androy region at the southern tip of the Indian Ocean. His exact birth date and family background are unknown. [7]

Randrianirina received his military training at the Antsirabe Military Academy. [8] Randrianirina was Governor of the Androy region between 2016 and 2018, during the presidency of Hery Rajaonarimampianina. He then served as an infantry battalion commander in Toliara until July 2022. He later became head of the elite CAPSAT unit. [7]

2023 arrest

Randrianirina gradually became a vocal critic of President Andry Rajoelina. He was "hastily arrested" for mutiny on 27 November 2023 and charged with "instigating a military mutiny and attempting a coup d'état". [9] On the same day, he was both put before court and immediately sent to Tsiafahy prison. He was released in February 2024, after being given a suspended sentence for attacking state security, and returned to CAPSAT. [10]

2025 political crisis

On 25 September 2025, protests broke out across Madagascar due to power and water outages that have become very common nationwide, especially in the capital Antananarivo. [11] To calm the protesters, President Andry Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay; however, this failed to satisfy the protesters. [12] [13]

Coup d'état

On the morning of 12 October 2025, President Andry Rajoelina announced an attempt to seize power by the CAPSAT units who joined protesters. The alert was first raised after a few military personnel were seen leaving the barracks to join the protesters. [14] Randrianirina denied that a coup had taken place, saying that they had only "answered the people's calls". [15] [16]

On 12 October, former prime minister Ntsay and one of Rajoelina's advisers, Mamy Ravatomanga, arrived in Mauritius aboard a private flight the Mauritian government saying that it was "not satisfied" at the arrival. [17] [18] A government spokesperson said Rajoelina is still in the country managing national affairs. [19] He was scheduled to address the nation on the evening of 13 October, but Reuters reported that Rajoelina had left the country on a French military aircraft departing from Sainte Marie Airport in northeastern Madagascar on 12 October after he had made an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron. [20] On 13 October, Rajoelina made a video announcement from the official Facebook page of the Malagasy presidency [18] that he had been evacuated to an undisclosed safe place after an assassination attempt against him by "a group of military personnel and politicians". [21] On 14 October, Rajoelina issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly that was scheduled to launch impeachment measures against him following consultations with the presidents of the assembly and Senate. [22] This would have allowed for elections to be held in 60 days. [23] Despite Rajoelina's orders, the National Assembly proceeded to impeach him with 130 votes in favor and one blank vote. [24]

While head of CAPSAT, Randrianirina joined the 2025 Malagasy mutiny against incumbent president Andry Rajoelina amidst the 2025 Malagasy protests, calling on soldiers "to refuse to repress the population, to take responsibility, and to play their part". On 13 May Square, Randrianirina called on the president and prime minister to resign, among others. [25]

Presidency (2025–present)

Seizing power

After Rajoelina fled the country, on 14 October 2025, CAPSAT occupied the Iavoloha Palace and declared Randrianirina as interim president. Randrianirina confirmed the dissolution of all institutions except the National Assembly. His statement said: "The following institutions are suspended: the Senate, the High Constitutional Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the High Court of Justice, and the High Council for the Defense of Human Rights and the Rule of Law." [26] He promised an election within two years and said they would set up a committee made up of officers from the army, paramilitary gendarmerie and national police to rule the nation. [27] He told reporters, addressing the protesters gathered nearby: “The constitution is suspended. We will organize a referendum within two years to establish a new democratic order.” [28] On that day, he was formally asked by the High Constitutional Court to carry out the duties of the President of Madagascar as President of the Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic. [29]

On 15 October, Malagasy state television announced that Randrianirina would be inaugurated on 17 October as "President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar" during a session of the Constitutional Court. [30] He was sworn in on that date as planned. [31] During his inaugural speech at the High Constitutional Court, Randrianirina said it marked a "historic turning point" for Madagascar and expressed his determination to "break with the past" and "open a new chapter in the nation's life." [32] Randrianirina thanked the Gen Z protestors. He stated that his first three priorities would be an investigation into the water and power company Jirama, rice farming, and appointing a prime minister and government. [33]

Early actions

Randrianirina with Russian president Vladimir Putin, 19 February 2026 Vladimir Putin and Michael Randrianirina (2026-02-19).jpg
Randrianirina with Russian president Vladimir Putin, 19 February 2026

On 20 October 2025, Randrianirina appointed businessman Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo as the nation's prime minister, succeeding general Ruphin Zafisambo. [34]

In an interview with Sky News on 10 November, Randrianirina said it was an honour to serve in the palace and help Malagasy people living in poverty. He stressed that he is both a military officer and part of the people, and denied that his leadership was the result of a coup, claiming that President Andry Rajoelina chose to leave the country. He promised elections within 18 to 24 months after a period of “refoundation and recovery,” saying that Generation Z and the broader population wanted change. He added that if the people no longer supported him, he would step down. [35]

In January 2026, during a meeting between Randrianirina and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Randrianirina said that his country intends to pursue becoming a BRICS partner. [36] [37] On 12 February 2026, Randrianirina visited Toamasina to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Gezani. He described the destruction as overwhelming, stating that much of Toamasina had been destroyed and appealing for international assistance. [38] On 19 February, Randrianirina met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to discuss the current state and future prospects of Russian–Malagasy cooperation across various sectors, as well as key international and regional issues. This marked his first trip abroad outside of Africa. [39] [40]

Personal life

Randrianirina is from Sevohipoty, a village located southeast of Ambovombe Androy. [9] He is a member of the Malagasy Lutheran Church. [41] He is married to Elisa Randrianirina (Marisoa Elisa Berthine). [42]

Notes

  1. ↑ Interim from 14 October to 17 October. [1] [2] [3]
  2. ↑ As President for the Re-Foundation of the Republic of Madagascar or Transitional President even after the short interim period. [4] [5] [6]

References

  1. ↑ "Military leader sworn in as Madagascar's new president". Al Jazeera.
  2. ↑ "AU suspends Madagascar as military leader to be sworn in as president". Al Jazeera . 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "Décision n°10-HCC/D3 du 14 octobre 2025 concernant une requête aux fins de résolution sur une sortie de crise politique" (in French). 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Military leader sworn in as Madagascar's new president". Al Jazeera.
  5. ↑ "AU suspends Madagascar as military leader to be sworn in as president". Al Jazeera . 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Décision n°10-HCC/D3 du 14 octobre 2025 concernant une requête aux fins de résolution sur une sortie de crise politique" (in French). 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Who is Madagascar's new military ruler Michael Randrianirina?". Reuters . 15 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Military colonel announces that the armed forces are taking control in Madagascar". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Affaire D'Incarcération– Des Antandroy élèvent la voix sur le cas Randrianirina". L'Express de Madagascar (in French). 5 December 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Who is Michael Randrianirina, the colonel who toppled Madagascar's president?". France 24 . 15 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  11. ↑ Razafimanantsoa, Volana (23 June 2024). "Madagascar's capital launches cable cars to ease traffic jam". Africanews. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Madagascar president sacks government over deadly protests". Le Monde. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  13. ↑ Kyekyeku, Kofi Oppong (30 September 2025). "Deadly youth-led protests force Madagascar's president to fire the prime minister and his government". Face2Face Africa. Archived from the original on 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "Coup Alert in Madagascar After Soldiers Side with Protesters". Modern Diplomacy. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "Madagascar army installs new chief, president denounces power grab". France 24 . 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  16. ↑ Tétaud, Sarah; Imray, Gerald (12 October 2025). "Madagascar's president says a coup is underway after soldiers joined anti-government demonstrations". AP News. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  17. ↑ "Madagascar army installs new chief, president denounces power grab". France 24 . 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  18. 1 2 "Madagascar's president says he fled the country in fear for his life after military rebellion". AP News . 13 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  19. ↑ "Madagascar president says 'illegal power grab' underway after army mutiny". Radio France Internationale . 12 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "President of Madagascar flees to 'safe location' amid deadly protests". Al Jazeera . 13 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  21. ↑ "Madagascar president hiding in 'safe place' as he warns of coup attempt". BBC . 13 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  22. ↑ "Madagascar's president dissolves national assembly, sparking anger among protesters". Africanews . 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  23. ↑ "Madagascar's National Assembly votes to impeach president after he fled countryr". CNN . 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  24. ↑ "Madagascar's National Assembly votes to impeach president". Channel News Asia . 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  25. ↑ "CONJONCTURE – L'armée entre en scène". L'Express de Madagascar (in French). 13 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  26. ↑ Lovasoa, Rabary (14 October 2025). "Madagascar's military takes power, fleeing president impeached". Reuters.
  27. ↑ "Madagascar protests: Army takes charge after president flees". DW. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  28. ↑ "In Madagascar, military ousts president and suspends constitution". ConstitutionNet. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  29. ↑ "Décision n°10-HCC/D3 du 14 octobre 2025 concernant une requête aux fins de résolution sur une sortie de crise politique" (in French). 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  30. ↑ "AU suspends Madagascar as military leader to be sworn in as president". Al Jazeera . 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  31. ↑ "Military leader sworn in as Madagascar's new president". Al Jazeera.
  32. ↑ "Michael Randrianirina sworn in as Madagascar's president". China.org. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  33. ↑ Sammy Awami; Omega Rakotomalala (17 October 2025). "Madagascar's military leader thanks Gen Z protesters as he is sworn in". BBC News . Wikidata   Q136525804. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025.
  34. ↑ "Madagascar coup leader names businessman as new prime minister". Reuters . 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  35. ↑ "Madagascar's new president Michael Randrianirina denies coup after taking office following Gen Z uprising". Sky News. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  36. ↑ Okafor, Chinedu (20 January 2026). "Africa's newest military leader intends to join BRICS". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  37. ↑ "Madagascar: 'Overwhelming' destruction, surging needs after back-to-back cyclones". UN News. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  38. ↑ "Madagascan President Randrianirina visits city devastated by Cyclone Gezani - Qiraat Africa". 12 February 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  39. ↑ "Russian-Malagasy talks". 19 February 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  40. ↑ "Treasure Island: Putin called Madagascar one of Russia's important partners in Africa". en.iz.ru. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  41. ↑ "Madagascar : qui est Michael Randrianirina, le nouvel homme fort de la Grande Île ?". France 24 (in French). 15 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  42. ↑ "An army colonel who led a lightning-fast coup takes over as Madagascar's president". AP News. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
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