United Nations condemns army takeover in Madagascar as coup chief to be shortly sworn in as President

The United Nations chief on Thursday (October 16, 2025) condemned the army takeover in Madagascar as an Army colonel who led the coup was set to be shortly sworn in as President simply three days after saying troopers had taken cost.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres “condemns the unconstitutional change of presidency in Madagascar and requires the return to constitutional order and the rule of legislation”, his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, mentioned.

Col. Michael Randrianirina is because of be sworn in as Madagascar’s chief at a ceremony on the High Constitutional Court on Friday (October 17, 2025), in accordance with an announcement by the Colonel, which he signed because the President of the “refounded” republic of Madagascar.

Ousted President Andry Rajoelina fled the Indian Ocean nation off the east coast of Africa following the army rebel, claiming his life was in peril. His whereabouts are unknown.

Madagascar has been suspended from the African Union, which mentioned it “completely rejects” the takeover.

Mr. Randrianirina introduced on Tuesday (October 14, 2025) that the armed forces have been taking management after three weeks of lethal anti-government protests led primarily by disaffected younger folks, who’ve railed in opposition to authorities service failures, poverty and an absence of alternatives whereas accusing the elite of corruption and nepotism.

The protesters have mobilised beneath the title “Gen Z Madagascar”, and their rebellion echoed youth-led protest actions which have toppled leaders in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Mr. Randrianirina and troopers from his elite CAPSAT army unit rebelled in opposition to Rajoelina and joined the protests final weekend. Other army models additionally turned in opposition to Rajoelina after CAPSAT’s defection.

Mr. Randrianirina mentioned a council made up of army officers could be accountable for the nation with him as President for as much as two years earlier than new elections are held.

Madagascar, a nation of round 30 million (3 crore), has struggled with poverty, drought, starvation, and political instability since gaining independence from France in 1960.

There have been a number of coups and tried coups, together with a army takeover in 2009 that first introduced Rajoelina to energy. Then, the Army handed energy to Rajoelina, who was in cost as president of a transitional authorities for 5 years earlier than new elections.