A little-known army colonel, Michael Randrianirina, was sworn in as Madagascar’s president Friday, six days after launching a military coup amid protests. From the Androy region, he served as its governor from 2016 to 2018 and earlier commanded an infantry battalion. A longtime critic of Andry Rajoelina, he was arrested in November 2023 for an alleged mutiny, spent about three months mostly in a military hospital, and later received a suspended one-year sentence. After soldiers joined protests Saturday, he rode an armored car among demonstrators. The United Nations condemned the coup; the African Union suspended Madagascar.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.