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{{Short description|President of Madagascar since 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Colonel]] <br> [[His Excellency]]
| name = Michael Randrianirina
| image = Colonel Michael Randrianirina (cropped).jpg
| caption = Randrianirina in 2025
| order = 9th
| office = President of Madagascar
| primeminister = [[Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo]]
| term_start = 17 October 2025<br />[[Provisional government|Interim]]: 14–17 October 2025
| predecessor = [[Andry Rajoelina]]
| office1 = Chairman of the [[Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic of Madagascar]]
| term_start1 = 14 October 2025
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = ''Position established''
| successor1 =
| office2 = [[CAPSAT|Commander of CAPSAT]]
| term_start2 = 2022{{cn}}
| term_end2 =
| office3 = [[Androy|Governor of Androy]]
| term_start3 = 2016
| term_end3 = 2018
| birth_date = 23 August 1973
| birth_place = Sevohipoty, [[Androy]], Madagascar
| spouse = Elisa Randrianirina
| children =
| allegiance = {{flag|Madagascar}}
| branch = [[Madagascar Armed Forces]]
| rank = [[File:Madagascar-Army-OF-5.svg|20px]] [[Colonel]]
}}
[[Colonel]] '''Michael Randrianirina''' (born 23 August 1973)<ref name=":4"></ref> is a Malagasy [[military officer]] and [[politician]] who has served as the ninth [[president of Madagascar]] and as Chairman of the [[Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic of Madagascar]] since 14 October 2025 after being confirmed by the High [[Constitutional Court]] amidst the [[2025 Madagascar coup d'état]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=14 October 2025 |title=Décision n°10-HCC/D3 du 14 octobre 2025 concernant une requête aux fins de résolution sur une sortie de crise politique. |url=http://www.hcc.gov.mg/?p=9647 |access-date=14 October 2025 |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

He previously served as Governor of [[Androy]] from 2016 to 2018, then later as a senior military commander and head of the [[CAPSAT]] unit.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=15 October 2025 |title=Who is Madagascar's new military ruler Michael Randrianirina? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/who-is-madagascars-new-military-ruler-michael-randrianirina-2025-10-15/ |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

== Political and military career ==
Randrianirina received his military training at the [[Antsirabe Military Academy]].<ref name="AJC-PriseDePouvoir">{{cite web|access-date=14 October 2025 |title=Military colonel announces that the armed forces are taking control in Madagascar |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/2025/10/military-colonel-announces-that-the-armed-forces-are-taking-control-in-madagascar/ |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref> Randrianirina was Governor of the [[Androy]] region between 2016 and 2018, during the presidency of [[Hery Rajaonarimampianina]]. He then served as an infantry battalion commander in [[Toliara]] until July 2022. He later became head of the elite [[CAPSAT]] unit.<ref name=":4"></ref>

=== 2023 arrest ===
Randrianirina gradually became a vocal critic of President [[Andry Rajoelina]]. He was "hastily arrested" for mutiny on 27 November 2023 and charged with "instigating a military mutiny and attempting a [[coup d'état]]".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=5 December 2023 |title=AFFAIRE D'INCARCÉRATION – Des Antandroy élèvent la voix sur le cas Randrianirina |url=https://www.lexpress.mg/2023/12/affaire-dincarceration-des-antandroy.html |access-date=14 October 2025 |website=[[L'Express de Madagascar]] |language=fr}}</ref> On the same day, he was both put before court and immediately sent to [[Tsiafahy|Tsiafahy prison]]. He was released in February 2024, after being given a [[suspended sentence]] for attacking state security, and returned to CAPSAT.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2025 |title=Who is Michael Randrianirina, the colonel who toppled Madagascar's president? |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20251015-who-is-colonel-michael-randrianirina-officer-toppled-madagascar-president-rajoelina |access-date=15 October 2025 |website=[[France 24]] |language=en}}</ref>

== 2025 political crisis ==
On 25 September 2025, [[2025 Malagasy protests|protests broke out across Madagascar]] due to power and water outages that have been very common nationwide especially in the capital [[Antananarivo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Razafimanantsoa |first=Volana |date=23 June 2024 |title=Madagascar's capital launches cable cars to ease traffic jam |url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/23/madagascars-capital-launches-cable-cars-to-ease-traffic-jam/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521053853/https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/23/madagascars-capital-launches-cable-cars-to-ease-traffic-jam/ |archive-date=21 May 2025 |access-date=2 October 2025 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref> To calm the protesters, President Andry Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister [[Christian Ntsay]]; however, this failed to satisfy the protesters.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 September 2025 |title=Madagascar president sacks government over deadly protests |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2025/09/29/madagascar-s-anti-government-protests-flare-up-as-police-respond-with-tear-gas_6745896_124.html |access-date=30 September 2025 |work=Le Monde |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kyekyeku |first1=Kofi Oppong |date=30 September 2025 |title=Deadly youth-led protests force Madagascar's president to fire the prime minister and his government |url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/deadly-youth-led-protests-force-madagascars-president-to-fire-the-prime-minister-and-his-government |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930110122/https://face2faceafrica.com/article/deadly-youth-led-protests-force-madagascars-president-to-fire-the-prime-minister-and-his-government |archive-date=30 September 2025 |access-date=30 September 2025 |work=Face2Face Africa |language=en}}</ref>

=== Coup d'état ===
{{Main|2025 Malagasy coup d'état}}
On the morning of 12 October 2025, President [[Andry Rajoelina]] announced an attempt to seize power by the CAPSAT units who joined protesters. The alert was first raised after a few military personnel were seen leaving the barracks to join the protesters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 2025 |title=Coup Alert in Madagascar After Soldiers Side with Protesters |url=https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/10/12/coup-alert-in-madagascar-after-soldiers-side-with-protesters/ |access-date=12 October 2025 |website=Modern Diplomacy |language=en-US}}</ref> Randrianirina denied that a coup had taken place, saying that they had only "answered the people's calls".<ref name="f242">{{Cite news |date=13 October 2025 |title=Madagascar army installs new chief, president denounces power grab |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251012-madagascar-army-unit-claims-control-president-says-power-grab-underway |access-date=13 October 2025 |work=[[France 24]]}}</ref><ref name="ap">{{cite news |last1=Tétaud |first1=Sarah |last2=Imray |first2=Gerald |date=12 October 2025 |title=Madagascar's president says a coup is underway after soldiers joined anti-government demonstrations |url=https://apnews.com/article/madagascar-protests-attempted-coup-e6dd29a429e06362efd238cfac7270d0 |access-date=12 October 2025 |work=AP News}}</ref>

On 12 October, former prime minister Ntsay and one of Rajoelina's advisers, [[Mamy Ravatomanga]], arrived in [[Mauritius]] aboard a private flight the Mauritian government saying that it was "not satisfied" at the arrival.<ref name="f24">{{Cite news |date=13 October 2025 |title=Madagascar army installs new chief, president denounces power grab |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251012-madagascar-army-unit-claims-control-president-says-power-grab-underway |access-date=13 October 2025 |work=[[France 24]]}}</ref><ref name="fled">{{Cite news |date=13 October 2025 |title=Madagascar's president says he fled the country in fear for his life after military rebellion |url=https://apnews.com/article/madagascar-coup-rajoelina-soldiers-military-africa-b17e7f78a6b0d4abf82a4a19a7a77a05 |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[AP News]]}}</ref> A government spokesperson said Rajoelina is still in the country managing national affairs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 October 2025 |title=Madagascar president says 'illegal power grab' underway after army mutiny |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20251012-madagascar-president-says-illegal-power-grab-underway-after-army-mutiny |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Radio France Internationale]]}}</ref> He was scheduled to address the nation on the evening of 13 October, but ''[[Reuters]]'' reported that Rajoelina had left the country on a French military aircraft departing from [[Sainte Marie Airport]] in northeastern Madagascar on 12 October after he had made an agreement with French President [[Emmanuel Macron]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2025 |title=President of Madagascar flees to 'safe location' amid deadly protests |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/13/president-of-madagascar-flees-to-safe-location-amid-deadly-protests |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> On 13 October, Rajoelina made a video announcement from the official [[Facebook]] page of the Malagasy presidency<ref name="fled" /> that he had been evacuated to an undisclosed safe place after an assassination attempt against him by "a group of military personnel and politicians".<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2025 |title=Madagascar president hiding in 'safe place' as he warns of coup attempt |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkzyek0jxro |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref> On 14 October, Rajoelina issued a decree dissolving the [[National Assembly (Madagascar)|National Assembly]] that was scheduled to launch impeachment measures against him following consultations with the presidents of the assembly and Senate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 2025 |title=Madagascar's president dissolves national assembly, sparking anger among protesters |url=https://www.africanews.com/2025/10/14/madagascars-president-dissolves-national-assembly-sparking-anger-among-protesters/ |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Africanews]]}}</ref> This would have allowed for elections to be held in 60 days.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 2025 |title=Madagascar's National Assembly votes to impeach president after he fled countryr |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/14/africa/madagascar-president-dissolves-national-assembly-intl |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Despite Rajoelina's orders, the National Assembly proceeded to impeach him with 130 votes in favor and one blank vote.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 2025 |title=Madagascar's National Assembly votes to impeach president |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/madagascar-president-andry-rajoelina-impeached-protests-5401501 |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Channel News Asia]]}}</ref>

While head of CAPSAT, Randrianirina joined the [[2025 Malagasy mutiny]] against incumbent president [[Andry Rajoelina]] amidst the [[2025 Malagasy protests]], calling on soldiers "to refuse to repress the population, to take responsibility, and to play their part". On May 13 Square, Randrianirina called on the president and prime minister to resign, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 2025 |title=CONJONCTURE – L'armée entre en scène |url=https://www.lexpress.mg/2025/10/conjoncture-larmee-entre-en-scene.html |access-date=14 October 2025 |website=[[L'Express de Madagascar]] |language=fr}}</ref>

== Presidency (2025–present) ==
After Rajoelina fled the country, on 14 October 2025, CAPSAT occupied the [[Iavoloha Palace|Presidential Palace]] and declared Randrianirina as interim president. Randrianirina confirmed the dissolution of all institutions except the [[National Assembly (Madagascar)|National Assembly]]. His statement said: "The following institutions are suspended: the [[Senate (Madagascar)|Senate]], the High Constitutional Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the High Court of Justice, and the High Council for the Defense of Human Rights and the Rule of Law."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Lovasoa |first=Rabary |date=14 October 2025 |title=Madagascar's military takes power, fleeing president impeached |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/madagascars-president-dissolves-national-assembly-escalating-crisis-2025-10-14/ |website=Reuters}}</ref> He promised an election within two years and said they would set up a committee made up of officers from the army, paramilitary [[gendarmerie]] and national police to rule the nation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Madagascar protests: Army takes charge after president flees |url=https://www.dw.com/en/madagascar-protests-army-takes-charge-after-president-flees/a-74353655 |access-date=14 October 2025 |website=DW |language=en}}</ref> He was formally asked to carry out the duties of interim [[President of Madagascar]] as Chairman of the [[Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic of Madagascar|Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic]] by the High Constitutional Court on that day.<ref name=":3" />

On 15 October, Malagasy state television announced that Randrianirina would be inaugurated on 17 October as "President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar" during a session of the Constitutional Court.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2025 |title=AU suspends Madagascar as military leader to be sworn in as president |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/15/au-suspends-madagascar-as-military-leader-to-be-sworn-in-as-president |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |access-date=16 October 2025}}</ref> He was sworn in on that date as planned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2025/10/17/military-leader-sworn-in-as-madagascars-new-president|title=Military leader sworn in as Madagascar's new president|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> During his inaugural speech at the High Constitutional Court, Randrianirina said it marked a "historic turning point" for Madagascar and expressed his determination to "break with the past" and "open a new chapter in the nation's life."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Randrianirina sworn in as Madagascar's president |url=http://www.china.org.cn/2025-10/18/content_118130237.shtml |access-date=2025-10-18 |work=China.org}}</ref> Randrianirina thanked the Gen Z protestors. He stated that his first three priorities would be an investigation into the water and power company [[Jirama]], rice farming, and appointing a prime minister and government.<ref name="BBC_Randrianirina_sworn_in">{{cite Q|Q136525804|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 October, Rajoelina appointed businessman [[Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo]] as the nation's prime minister, succeeding general [[Ruphin Zafisambo]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 October 2025 |title=Madagascar coup leader names businessman as new prime minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/madagascar-names-new-prime-minister-2025-10-20/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 October 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Randrianirina is from Sevohipoty, a village located southeast of [[Ambovombe-Androy (district)|Ambovombe Androy]].<ref name=":1" /> He is a member of the [[Malagasy Lutheran Church]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2025 |title=Madagascar : qui est Michael Randrianirina, le nouvel homme fort de la Grande Île ? |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/afrique/20251015-madagascar-qui-est-michael-randrianirina-nouvel-homme-fort-de-la-grande-%C3%AEle-capsat-militaire |access-date=16 October 2025 |website=[[France 24]] |language=fr}}</ref> He is married to Elisa Randrianirina (Marisoa Elisa Berthine).<ref>{{Cite web |title=An army colonel who led a lightning-fast coup takes over as Madagascar's president |url=https://apnews.com/article/madagascar-coup-president-oath-randrianirina-a484f9233876ef559af0c2e3029f1f7a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017145511/https://apnews.com/article/madagascar-coup-president-oath-randrianirina-a484f9233876ef559af0c2e3029f1f7a |archive-date=17 October 2025 |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=AP News}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Andry Rajoelina]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of presidents of Madagascar|President of Madagascar]]<br>''Chairman of the [[Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic of Madagascar|Council of the Presidency of the Republic for Reform]]''|years=2025–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{Presidents of Madagascar}}
{{Heads of state of republics}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Randrianirina, Michael}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Presidents of Madagascar]]
[[Category:Governors of Androy]]
[[Category:Malagasy military personnel]]
[[Category:Malagasy Lutherans]]
[[Category:Leaders who took power by coup]]
[[Category:People from Androy]]

Michael Randrianirina - Revision history

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