Army colonel who led lightning-fast coup in Madagascar sworn in as new president World Oct 17, 2025 5:25 PM EDT

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — An army colonel who seized power in a military coup was sworn in as Madagascar’s new leader Friday in a lightning-fast power grab that ousted the president and sent him fleeing the country and into hiding.

READ MORE: Madagascar military says it has taken control of government

Col. Michael Randrianirina, the commander of an elite army unit, took the oath of office to become the new president at a ceremony in the main chamber of the nation’s High Constitutional Court, in front of its nine red-robed judges.

His ascent to the presidency came just three days after he announced that the armed forces were taking power in the Indian Ocean island of

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