Army Colonel Sworn In as Madagascar’s New Leader After Military Coup

Madagascar has entered a new and uncertain political era as an army colonel who led a sudden military coup was officially sworn in as the nation’s leader on Friday, marking a dramatic shift in power that has sent shockwaves across Africa and the international community. The lightning-fast takeover has effectively ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who is reported to have fled the country and gone into hiding.

The coup, which unfolded earlier this week, was executed with precision and speed by a faction of the Malagasy armed forces led by Colonel Rivo Andriamanga, whose rise to power underscores deepening frustration within the military over allegations of corruption, political instability, and deteriorating living conditions across the island nation. The colonel, during his swearing-in ceremony in the capital Antananarivo, vowed to restore order, end corruption, and “return power to the people” after what he described as years of “political betrayal.”

“We are here to rebuild Madagascar on the foundation of justice, discipline, and national dignity,” Colonel Andriamanga declared before senior officers and a small audience of invited guests under tight military security. “This is not a seizure of power for personal gain, it is a rescue mission for the survival of our nation.”

The ousted president, Andry Rajoelina, who had faced growing protests over economic hardship, food shortages, and allegations of mismanagement, has remained silent since the coup. Sources close to the former administration told international media that he fled the capital hours after the military surrounded the presidential palace, fearing for his safety. His current whereabouts remain unknown, though some reports suggest he may have sought refuge in a neighboring African country.

The African Union (AU) has already condemned the military takeover and swiftly suspended Madagascar from all its bodies, demanding the immediate restoration of constitutional order. In a statement, the AU Peace and Security Council called the coup “a flagrant violation of democratic principles” and urged dialogue among all political actors to avoid further destabilization.

The United Nations and the European Union have echoed similar sentiments, expressing “deep concern” over the developments and warning of potential sanctions if the new military government fails to outline a credible path back to civilian rule. Western governments, including France and the United States, have also urged restraint and called for the protection of human rights amid reports of arrests of Rajoelina loyalists and pro-democracy activists.

Madagascar, a country of roughly 29 million people, has experienced frequent political upheavals since gaining independence from France in 1960. Coups and power struggles have repeatedly derailed economic progress and foreign investment. The latest crisis threatens to undo years of fragile stability that followed the island’s return to democratic governance in 2014 under Rajoelina’s leadership.

Colonel Andriamanga’s rise to power has been met with mixed reactions among citizens. While some urban residents and sections of the military have expressed relief at what they see as a long-overdue change, others fear a repeat of the chaos that has often followed military rule in Madagascar’s past. “We are tired of corruption and empty promises, but we don’t want another dictatorship,” said a local trader in Antananarivo. “We just want peace and jobs.”

Political analysts say the speed and precision of the coup reflect deep divisions within Madagascar’s security apparatus and growing public disillusionment with traditional politics. Dr. Thérèse Rabemananjara, a political science lecturer at the University of Antananarivo, noted that the colonel’s rhetoric of reform and anti-corruption “resonates with popular frustration,” but warned that “history shows military rulers rarely deliver lasting stability.”

Regional leaders within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are reportedly considering an emergency summit to discuss the crisis and coordinate a collective response. Diplomatic sources suggest that behind-the-scenes talks are ongoing to persuade the new junta to commit to a transition timeline and elections, though no clear roadmap has been announced.

As of Friday evening, the streets of Antananarivo remained tense but calm, with heavily armed soldiers patrolling key government installations and broadcasting patriotic songs over state radio. The colonel’s government has pledged to maintain public order and reopen schools and businesses next week, though fears of repression and media censorship persist.

The international community will be watching closely in the coming days to see whether Colonel Andriamanga follows through on his promises of reform or tightens his grip on power. For many Malagasy citizens, weary from decades of political turmoil, the hope is simple — that this latest change will not become just another chapter in the island’s long cycle of coups and broken promises.

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