An unprecedented situation in Madagascar. The High Constitutional Court (HCC) provisionally handed power to Colonel Michael Randrianirina yesterday, Tuesday, October 14, 2025. This member of the military unit that rallied the Gen Z protesters becomes de facto President of the Republic.

The HCC explains its decision by the power vacuum and the inability of civil authorities to ensure the continuity of the state. Currently, elected President André Rajoelina is nowhere to be found. He has reportedly fled the country.

 

Governor of Androy, between 2016 and 2018

 

The man who now holds his position is one of his detractors. He was the one who called on his brothers in arms on Saturday, October 11, to disobey the order to shoot the protesters. He is 51 years old and is no novice in politics. He was previously governor of Androy, his native region, between 2016 and 2018. His criticism of the ruling power has gotten him into trouble in the past. In November 2023, for example, he was arrested for "inciting military mutiny with a view to a coup d'état." The military justice system then sentenced him to a one-year suspended prison sentence for "endangering state security."

Released in February 2024, he returned to his place in the army, but was not given any position of responsibility.

 

Former head of CAPSAT

 

Michael Randrianirina was the commander of the Tulear Infantry Battalion, in the neighboring Atsimo Andrefana region (southwest of the country). He also led the Institutional Protection Support Corps (CAPSAT), an elite unit of the Malagasy army.

After taking power, the colonel told the press that he had not led a coup. He said the military had simply "restored order and responded to the aspirations of the people." "Power belongs to the people, not me," he added.

 

He reaches out to the protesters and calls for dialogue

 

Yesterday, Tuesday, the new leader called on Gen Z and unions to suspend the protests. While legitimate, they risk creating more financial deficits for the state and worsening the country's economic crisis, he said. The colonel then reached out to the protesters, calling for an open national dialogue. He hopes that all stakeholders—in this case, unions, politicians, and youth representatives—will quickly come together to find "rapid, concrete, and effective" solutions that will move the country forward.