ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — The head of an elite Madagascar military unit ousted the African island country’s president in a coup, capping weeks of youth-led protests over water and power cuts, the high cost of living and endemic poverty, among other issues.

Col. Michael Randrianirina, who led the rebellion that toppled President Andry Rajoelina, told The Associated Press in his first interview with a global news agency since taking power Tuesday that he would be sworn in as Madagascar’s next president in the next few days.

Kenya-based AP photographer Brian Inganga was taking photographs at an anti-government protest in a square in Madagascar’s capital on Tuesday when a brief meeting with the leader of the CAPSAT military unit set the table for the eventual interview.

Here's his account

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