Antananarivo: Colonel Michael Randrianirina was officially sworn in as Madagascar’s president on Friday, following a military coup that ousted former leader Andry Rajoelina. Randrianirina, who commands the elite CAPSAT unit, took the oath at the High Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo, amid cheers and military honors.

The coup was triggered by widespread youth-led protests over chronic power and water shortages, which intensified over the past month. Rajoelina fled the country earlier this week and was impeached by lawmakers shortly thereafter. Despite his exile, Rajoelina has refused to officially resign, denouncing the military takeover.

Randrianirina pledged to uphold national unity and human rights during his inauguration. He announced that a military-led committee w

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