A little-known army colonel became Madagascar’s president Friday after a rapid power grab that saw him sworn in as his country’s leader six days after launching a military coup.
Here’s what to know about Col. Michael Randrianirina, who seized power following weeks of large anti-government protests by mainly young people:
A former governor
He is from the southern region of Androy — one of Madagascar’s poorest — and he served as its governor between 2016 and 2018. Before that, he was the commander of an infantry battalion in the neighboring Atsimo-Andrefana region.
He has long been a vocal critic of Andry Rajoelina, the Madagascar president he ousted in a coup this week.
Arrested for attempted mutiny
Randrianirina was arrested in November 2023 — just before that year’s presidential election — and accused of planning a mutiny. He was sent to the notorious Tsiafahy Prison.
He has said that he spent
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