Madagascar’s new prime minister named after military coup

After Gen Z-driven protests forced the former president of Madagascar to leave the country, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the country’s coup leader, has created a new prime minister.

Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, a businessman, was sworn in as president last week, and Randrianirina, who was sworn in as president, said he had chosen him as the new prime minister because of his expertise and “connections with the international organizations that work with us.”

Former president Andry Rajoelina, who was impeached for desertion of duty after escaping from the country last weekend, has condemned the army’s takeover and has refused to step down while in exile.

Rajoelina fled for his life as a result of the “Gen Z Madagascar” youth movement’s nationwide protests, which started out in September with calls for a system overhaul and quickly grew to include calls for system reform.

Rajoelina claims to have visited a secure location, but has not disclosed it. He also claimed last week that a resignation letter from him was fake, and that he had warned people that “lies” were spreading to “conter” the general public.

The UN and the African Union, which have suspended Madagascar’s membership, have condemned Randrianirina’s military coup.

The new president made his decision when his soldiers rebelled and joined the anti-government demonstrations led by the little-known army colonel, who has long been a vocal critic of Rajoelina.

He became the leader of the uprising, which had previously had no visible leader due to his appearance while riding an armored car among the protesters and accompanying them to a main square to demonstrate.