Madagascar’s military leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was sworn in as president and thanked the protesters

Colonel Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as Madagascar’s new president days after a military takeover of the country in the Indian Ocean.

He changed his clothes to a suit and thanked the young people who took to the streets in weeks of protests that forced President Andriy Rajoelina to flee the country and led to his impeachment.

The ceremony took place at the Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo, where a large crowd gathered to watch – including those who led the demonstrations.

“Today marks a historic turning point for our country. With a people in full swing, driven by the desire for change… we are joyfully opening a new chapter in the life of our nation,” he said.

The former French colony is now entering a transition period that will be fraught with political obstacles and legal uncertainty – although there is cautious optimism about Colonel Randrianirina’s leadership.

The President of the Constitutional Court, Florent Rakotoarisois, criticized the international community for describing the situation in Madagascar as a coup.

He denied that there had been a violation of the constitution in Madagascar, instead blaming the constitution for making the situation worse.

Protesters hoped Rajoelina would simply resign and pave the way for a smooth, democratic transition.

Instead, he clung to power, dissolved his government and held a series of dialogues with various groups of people, efforts that were not enough to appease the protesters.

The protests, which began last month, were initially organized by a youth movement known as Gen Z Mada – angered by persistent power and water shortages.

Colonel Randrianirina was the head of Madagascar’s elite CAPSAT army unit when his soldiers joined thousands of protesters on the streets of the capital on Tuesday.

He told the Gen Z demonstrators that he was taking power and that the military would form a government and hold elections within two years.

Supporters of democracy, both at home and abroad, hope that this promise will be fulfilled.

At the ceremony at the country’s Supreme Court, news agency Reuters reported that trumpets blared after Randrianirina took the oath, pledging to “dedicate all her strength to the defense and strengthening of national unity and human rights.”

Wearing an official sash and service star, he reaffirmed his commitment to change.

“We will work hand-in-hand with all the driving forces of the nation to draft a good constitution,” he said, adding that electoral reforms would be introduced before another vote is held.

“We are determined to break with the past. Our main mission is to comprehensively reform the country’s administrative, socio-economic and political system of governance.”

After the ceremony, the new president spoke to reporters outside the constitutional court and outlined in more detail what he believed to be his main priorities.

He said he would start by launching an investigation into state-owned water and power company Jirama.

“Today and tomorrow we will look at the situation in Jirama – what is happening there and what problems exist at the moment. This review aims to prevent further difficulties in the future. This is our first social priority,” he said.

“The second priority is rice cultivation. As we enter the farming season, we need to assess how best to proceed.

“The third priority is the appointment of a prime minister and the formation of a government.

Like other former French colonies in Africa that have suffered coups in recent years, it has been hinted that relations with France may also change under his leadership with warmer ties to Russia.

On Thursday, Randrianirina attended a meeting with Russian embassy officials to discuss “serious” cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier in the protests, people were seen in the streets waving Russian flags, calling for Moscow’s intervention.