By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Madagascar’s new military ruler Michael Randrianirina who led the coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina on Wednesday announced that he will be sworn-in as the African island nation’s leader soon.
“We will be sworn in soon,” the army colonel told a press briefing on Wednesday, a day after the High Constitutional Court invited him to serve as President of the former French colony.
“We took responsibility yesterday,” he added.
Rajoelina, who himself came to power through a military coup in 2009 was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing abroad at the weekend.
He condemned the takeover and refused to step following weeks of youth-led demonstrations demanding his resignation. A unit of the army joined in the protests.
Randrianirina has told Malagasy citizens that the military has taken power and dissolved all institutions except the lower house of parliament or National Assembly.
Two sources close to him earlier said he would be sworn in as president in the next day or two.
Randrianirina said on Tuesday that a committee led by the military would rule for up to two years alongside a transitional government before organising new elections.
He was a commander in the elite CAPSAT army unit that played a key role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power but broke ranks with him last week, urging soldiers not to fire on protesters.
Rajoelina fled Madagascar on Sunday aboard a French military plane, security sources told Reuters. He has said his life was at risk and is now believed to be in Dubai, according to three diplomatic and opposition sources.
Rajoelina, 51 became the world’s youngest head of state at 34 after a youth-led protest. He promised to improve living standards and eradicate corruption but that was never fulfilled.
