Madagascar has sworn in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as president following a military takeover after mass protests forced President Andry Rajoelina into exile.

The High Constitutional Court formalized Randrianirina’s appointment after Rajoelina was impeached for desertion, amid weeks of deadly demonstrations over power and water shortages that left at least 22 dead.

Randrianirina vowed to reform governance, socioeconomic systems, and electoral laws, and emphasized collaboration with youth-led protest movements that helped oust Rajoelina.

Rajoelina fled the country to Reunion and then Dubai, while his supporters condemned the constitutional court’s approval of the military takeover as illegal, Al-Jazeera has reported.

The transition places Madagascar among other former French colonies experiencing military rule since 2020, and international bodies, including the African Union, SADC, and France, are calling for civilian involvement and a return to constitutional democracy.