Colonel Michael Randrianirina was invited on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, by Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court (HCC) to assume the duties of Head of State following the declaration of a power vacuum after the fall of Andry Rajoelina’s regime.
A former governor of the Androy region in the south, Colonel Randrianirina — known for his outspoken criticism of the former president — gained prominence with a powerful appeal to the security forces urging them "not to fire on demonstrators.” His message, broadcast on social media on October 11, energized the popular protests and hastened the collapse of the ruling power.
Imprisoned between November 2023 and February 2024 for "incitement to mutiny” and handed a suspended sentence for "undermining state security,” the colonel has, within a matter of days, become the central figure of a joint military and civic protest movement.
In his first official statement, he announced the "suspension of the Constitution” and declared that he was "taking power in the name of the people,” denouncing "the continuous trampling of the fundamental law and widespread corruption.”
The new strongman of Madagascar has pledged to swiftly form a civilian government and hold elections within 18 to 24 months. His main challenge will now be to convince the international community of the legitimacy of this transition and to prevent the suspension of crucial external financial support to the country.