Colonel Mickaël Randrianirina was sworn in as President of the Republic of Madagascar today.
The inauguration took place at the Supreme Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo, three days after a military unit led by Randrianirina seized power, toppling former President Andry Rajoelina, who left the country following three weeks of anti-government protests, according to AFP.
The African Union suspended Madagascar’s membership in its institutions “with immediate effect” the day after the military takeover and Rajoelina’s ouster.
The army, under Colonel Randrianirina’s command, assumed control of the country after the National Assembly voted to remove President Rajoelina from office. Rajoelina departed Madagascar on October 13 aboard a French military plane and has since taken refuge in an undisclosed location following widespread public demonstrations against his government.
