‘Putschist playbook’: Seize power, promise elections following two-year transition, postpone polls

A little-known army colonel became Madagascar’s president after a rapid power grab that saw him sworn in as his country’s leader just days after launching a military coup. Here’s what to know about Col. Michael Randrianirina, who seized power following weeks of large anti-government protests by mainly young people: He is from the southern region of Androy — one of Madagascar’s poorest — and he served as its governor between 2016 and 2018. Before that, he was the commander of an infantry battalion in the neighboring Atsimo-Andrefana region. He has long been a vocal critic of Andry Rajoelina, the Madagascar president he just ousted. Randrianirina’s military coup has been condemned by the United Nations and by the African Union. For a deeper perspective on the rapidly unfolding events, Angela Diffley welcomes Dr. Alex Vines, Africa Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).