Madagascar's coup leader, Colonel Mikael Randrianirina, was officially sworn in as president after the military seized power in the island nation this week following protests organized by Generation Z that forced Andry Rajoelina to flee, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing abroad over the weekend. He condemned the seizure of power and refused to step down, despite mass desertions from the security forces.
The African Union and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the coup, which followed weeks of protests by Generation Z.
"I will fully, completely and honestly fulfill the high responsibilities of my office as President of the Republic of Madagascar," Randrianirina said at a ceremony at the Supreme Constitutional Court. "I swear that I will exercise the authority entrusted to me and devote all my energies to the defense and strengthening of national unity and human rights," he added.
Randrianirina had earlier said that the military had seized power and dissolved all institutions except the lower house of parliament, or the National Assembly. He added that a military-led committee would govern for up to two years alongside a transitional government before holding new elections.
Randrianirina was a commander in the elite CAPSAT army unit that played a key role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. Last week, however, he distanced himself from the president, urging soldiers not to shoot protesters.
Madagascar's population of about 30 million has a median age of under 20. Three-quarters of the people live in poverty. According to the World Bank, per capita GDP fell by 45% between independence in 1960 and 2020.