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On the eve of his inauguration as head of Madagascar, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina assured Thursday that the overthrow of President Andry Rajoelina, which occurred after his confirmed flight abroad and the rallying of the army to the demonstrators, was “not a coup d’état”.
The country’s new strongman appointed this Monday, October 20, a new Prime Minister, Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, a civilian with the profile of an economic expert. After consulting the National Assembly, he appointed Rajaonarivelo, a private sector figure and former president of a Malagasy bank, the National Bank of Industry (BNI). An appointment which is causing debate among Gen Z who stormed the streets for several days against the deposed president.
The new president promised a civil government and collaboration with “all the living forces of the nation”.
In the streets of Antananarivo, the capital of this poor and tourist island in the Indian Ocean, it has been party time since Wednesday, the invisible army, and daily life has resumed its course, without the roadblocks that have blocked the city since the start of the demonstrations on September 25.
“A coup d’état is when the soldiers enter the presidential palace with weapons, they shoot, there is blood… It is not a coup d’état,” Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, 51, who must be sworn in on Friday as “president of the refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar”, according to a decree, told the press.
His appointment to the presidency by the country’s highest court proves, according to him, that he “did not take power.” “I was given power, power was transferred to me, it’s different. », insisted the soldier during a second press briefing Thursday from his office at the headquarters of his military unit, Capsat.
The UN Secretary General, however, “condemns the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar” in a statement Thursday from his spokesperson who “calls for the restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law”.
The African Union, after having already suspended the country from its authorities, announced Thursday the sending of a delegation to “support the launch of a dialogue” which would be “led by the Malagasy and directed by civilians”.
The day before, France, a former colonial power, deemed it “essential that democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law be scrupulously preserved”.
During the press briefing, Colonel Randrianirina clarified that he would no longer dissolve almost all of the institutions as he declared on Tuesday, after announcing: “we have taken power”.
The new Prime Minister has the profile of an economic expert, international consultant for the World Bank, the European Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), reports the 24H Mada website. Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo is therefore a known contact with international institutions and donors. He is also involved in international trade issues.
Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo is a key figure in the business world in Madagascar. He was at the head of Malagasy employers for several years. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Malagasy bank BNI, formerly affiliated with Crédit Lyonnais/Crédit Agricole.