The rebel military of Madagascar consummate the coup d’état by installing a colonel as the new president

The leader of the coup d’état carried out this Tuesday in Madagascar, colonel Michael Randrianirinawas invested this Friday as “president for the refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar.”

Without the military uniform and dressed in a dark suit, blue tie and white shirtRandrianirina was sworn in during a ceremony at the headquarters of the High Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo.

The colonel is the leader of the Army Personnel and Services Administration Corps (CAPSAT), the powerful elite military unit what He overthrew the president last Tuesday Andry Rajoelinawho announced his flight from the country with the help of France.

Randrianirina announced on Tuesday, from the Ambotsirohitra Palace, headquarters of the Presidency in the capital, the suppression of the Constitution and the seizure of power in response to the serious crisis generated by the popular protests since last September 25.

The coup d’état overthrew Rajoelina, who fled the country, but who still he was reluctant to resign that the protests promoted by Generation Z demanded.

Randrianirina announced that it will be created a council composed of the Army, the Gendarmerie and the National Policeto which civilians may join, who will have a maximum period of two years to “rebuild the foundations of the nation.” Likewise, he assured that, within this transition process, “a constitutional referendum will be held.”

Shock alarm

The coup has been received with joy by the protesters, but the international community has condemned the military uprising. The African Union (AU) suspended Madagascar on Wednesday from all the organization’s activities until constitutional order is restored.

Likewise, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc made up of 16 countries, expressed its “alarm” at the coup, which it called a “serious threat” to the peace, stability and democratic order of this island country in southeastern Africa.

Madagascar has been going through a deep crisis since September 25, when massive protests broke out driven by young people from Generation Z outraged by the constant electricity and water cuts.

The mobilizations evolved into an anti-government movement that demanded the resignation of Rajoelina, accused of corruption, nepotism and embezzlement of public funds, and who refused to give up power despite the pressure in the streets.

Before Tuesday’s coup, Madagascar had experienced three coups d’état since its independence from France: 1972, 1975 and 2009. CAPSAT already participated in the 2009 coup, which overthrew the then president, Marc Ravalomanana, and allowed Rajoelina to come to power for the first time.