Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of an elite Malagasy army unit, announced a two-year transitional period under his leadership, to be followed by new elections. The declaration came shortly after the army seized power in the wake of the National Assembly’s decision to remove President Andry Rajoelina from office.
Randrianirina stated that a constitutional referendum will be held during the two-year transition, followed by elections to establish new governing institutions.
Military leaders also announced the suspension of the Senate, the Constitutional Court, the electoral commission, and several other government bodies.
President Rajoelina denounced the move, asserting in a statement that he “remains in office,” and described the deployment of armed troops around the presidential palace as “a clear attempt at a coup.”
The development comes amid ongoing mass protests that have gripped the country since September, demanding the regime’s resignation, as a mutinous military unit joined demonstrators and declared control over all military bases nationwide.
