A little-known army colonel has emerged as Madagascar’s new leader following a swift military coup that unfolded over six days. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT military unit, was sworn in as president on Friday, October 17, 2025, just days after leading a rebellion that toppled President Andry Rajoelina.
From Governor to Rebel Leader
Randrianirina hails from the Androy region in southern Madagascar, one of the country’s poorest areas. Between 2016 and 2018, he served as governor of Androy, after previously commanding an infantry battalion in the neighboring Atsimo-Andrefana region. Known for his criticism of Rajoelina’s leadership, Randrianirina positioned himself as a defender of ordinary citizens frustrated by years of economic hardship and corruption.
Arrested and Accused of Mutiny
In November 2023, Randrianirina was arrested for attempting a mutiny ahead of that year’s presidential election. Detained at the infamous Tsiafahy Prison, he later revealed that most of his three-month detention was spent in a military hospital due to poor conditions. He was sentenced to a one-year suspended sentence for undermining state security and released in February 2024 after Rajoelina’s re-election.
Operating “In the Shadows”
After his release, Randrianirina described a period of isolation, saying he had no command post to return to. “I worked from home, I cooked, I played soccer,” he said, describing himself and a fellow officer as “working in the shadows.” It remains unclear when he officially became commander of the CAPSAT unit, but it was this elite force that ultimately rebelled and ousted Rajoelina.
Rise to Power
The colonel made his decisive move on Saturday, October 11, 2025, when his troops joined anti-government demonstrations led by youth activists demanding reform. Riding atop an armored vehicle during protests in Antananarivo, Randrianirina quickly became the face of the uprising, which until then had lacked a central figure.
Following the coup, Randrianirina was sworn in as president, promising to restore order, rebuild governance systems, and hold elections within two years. However, the United Nations and the African Union have both condemned the power grab, with the AU suspending Madagascar’s membership.
Randrianirina’s rapid ascent from a sidelined officer to the nation’s leader marks a dramatic new chapter in Madagascar’s turbulent political history — one defined by recurring coups and unmet promises of democracy.
