Colonel Michael Randrianirina (born 1974) is a Malagasy military officer who has served as the Interim President of Madagascar and Chairman of the Council of the Presidency for the Re-Foundation of the Republic since October 14, 2025. A former commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, he rose to power following a youth-led “Gen Z” uprising against the economic failures of the Andry Rajoelina administration. As of January 11, 2026, he is the undisputed strongman of Madagascar, leading a two-year transition toward “national renewal.”
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Michael Randrianirina |
| Born | 1974, Sevohipoty, Androy, Madagascar (Age 51) |
| Current Office | President of the Refoundation (Sworn in Oct 17, 2025) |
| Military Rank | Colonel (Commander of CAPSAT) |
| Political Style | Disciplined Technocracy; Nationalist; Pro-Youth. |
| Prime Minister | Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo (Businessman) |
January 2026: The “Historic Turning Point”
Entering 2026, Randrianirina has moved quickly to institutionalize his rule while maintaining the support of the youth movement that brought him to power.
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Suspension of Institutions: Upon taking power, Randrianirina dissolved or suspended almost all democratic institutions, including the Senate, the Electoral Commission (CENI), and the High Court of Justice. Only the National Assembly was spared, acting as a consultative body under the leadership of Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko.
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The “Jirama” Investigation (Jan 2026): In the first week of January 2026, the President launched a massive audit into Jirama, the state utility company. He has vowed to uncover the “billions of ariary” lost to corruption, which he blames for the water and power shortages that sparked the 2025 revolution.
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Foreign Policy Shift: On January 7, 2026, Randrianirina held a high-profile meeting with Russian and US diplomats. While he has been critical of “French interference” (refusing to speak French at his inauguration to assert Malagasy identity), he has invited the international community to “accompany” Madagascar’s renewal, provided they respect the two-year transition timeline.
The Road from Prison to the Palace
Randrianirina’s ascent is a classic tale of the “rebel colonel”:
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The Dissident (2023): Formerly a regional governor under Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Randrianirina became a vocal critic of President Rajoelina. In November 2023, he was arrested and sent to the notorious Tsiafahy prison on charges of mutiny. He was released in early 2024, becoming a martyr figure for the opposition.
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The CAPSAT Pivot: As head of the elite CAPSAT (Support and Administrative Personnel Corps), he held the keys to the capital. When the “Gen Z” protests intensified in September 2025 over power outages, he famously recorded a video ordering his troops not to fire on the people, declaring, “Our brothers and sisters are thirsty for change.”
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The Ouster (Oct 14, 2025): After Rajoelina fled the country, CAPSAT occupied the Iavoloha Palace. Randrianirina was invited by the High Constitutional Court (which he later suspended) to fill the vacancy as interim head of state.
Governance and the “Refoundation”
In early 2026, Randrianirina is attempting to bridge the gap between military rule and civilian hope:
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Technocratic Cabinet: He appointed Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, a respected former bank chairman, as Prime Minister to reassure international markets.
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The “Rice and Water” Priority: His 2026 agenda is focused on two survival issues: domestic rice production and the restoration of the water grid. He has framed his presidency not as a “coup,” but as a “patriotic rescue mission” to save a “dying country.”
2026 Outlook: A Two-Year Clock
The primary question of 2026 is whether Randrianirina will stick to his promise of elections in late 2027.
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Public Sentiment: While he is currently hailed as a hero by the youth, early signs of frustration are appearing in Antananarivo regarding the slow pace of utility repairs.
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The Opposition: Veteran politicians like Marc Ravalomanana are already pressuring him to shorten the transition, while Randrianirina insists that the “administrative rot” must be cleaned before any vote can be held.