Colonel Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as the new president of Madagascar days after a military takeover on the Indian Ocean nation.
He swapped his fatigues for a suit to succeed ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country and was later impeached following weeks of youth-led protests demanding greater accountability from his government.
The country now enters a transition period, which will be full of political obstacles and legal uncertainty – though there is cautious optimism about Col Randrianirina’s leadership.
Constitutional Court president Florent Rakotoarisoa has criticised the international community for describing the situation in Madagascar as a coup.
He said that there was no violation of the constitution in Madagascar, instead blaming the constitution for causing the situation to deteriorate.
Source: BBC
