• Colonel leads coup, names businessman transitional Prime Minister
• Civilian-led government aims to ease diplomatic, donor tensions
• Military seeks legitimacy after ousting President Rajoelina

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the elite CAPSAT corps and the main architect of the October 14 coup, announced on Monday the appointment of businessman Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo as Madagascar’s new Prime Minister. Randrianirina, who was sworn in as the country’s new leader on Friday, October 17, said the choice was based on Rajaonarivelo’s “experience and international connections.”

Rajaonarivelo, a key figure in the private sector, former head of the Malagasy employers’ association, and Chairman of BNI Madagascar’s Board of Directors, will lead a civilian and inclusive transitional government. The administration is expected to share power with the military for two years until general elections are held, a move intended to reassure international donors and reduce the country’s diplomatic isolation.

“He has the skills, the experience, but also the relationships he maintains with international organizations and other countries that will collaborate with Madagascar,” Randrianirina said. By nominating a civilian prime minister, Colonel Randrianirina seeks to legitimize the military takeover and preserve ties with international partners. He also announced plans to form a full civilian government that will include the country’s main stakeholders.

Political Unrest and International Reaction

The military power grab followed weeks of anti-government protests spearheaded by the “Gen Z Madagascar” youth movement. The protests, sparked by severe water and electricity shortages and a deterioration of living conditions, culminated in the military ousting President Andry Rajoelina for “abandonment of post” after he fled abroad. Rajoelina, now in exile, condemned the move as an “unconstitutional coup d’état” and insisted that the online resignation letter was falsified.

The African Union condemned the military’s seizure of power, suspending Madagascar from all its bodies and demanding an immediate return to constitutional order. Both the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have also called for dialogue between the parties.

The political upheaval has triggered economic repercussions. S&P Global Ratings placed the country’s sovereign rating, B-/B, under a negative watch, arguing that the instability undermines economic growth and fiscal consolidation efforts. The agency has consequently downgraded Madagascar’s growth forecast for 2025–2026 to 3%, down from a previous projection of 4.1%.

Olivier de Souza