Until a few days ago, very few people in or outside Madagascar had ever heard of Colonel Michael Randrianirina. ‘

Today, he is the man at the center of one of the country’s biggest political shakeups, a sudden military takeover that has left the nation and the world watching closely.

From unknown soldier to national power

Randrianirina’s name started making headlines last weekend when he led his troops from Madagascar’s elite army unit, CAPSAT (Support and Administrative Personnel Corps), into the heart of the capital city, Antananarivo. 

Thousands of protesters had been demanding President Andry Rajoelina’s resignation, accusing him of corruption and failed leadership.

Rather than silence the protesters, Randrianirina joined them. Within hours, the president fled, lawmakers voted to impeach him, and the colonel declared that CAPSAT was taking over control of the country. 

Soon after, the Constitutional Court announced him as Madagascar’s new leader even though Rajoelina insists he’s still in charge.

He is a quiet figure with a sudden rise

For a man now ruling a country, not much is known about Randrianirina. He was born in Sevohipoty, a small village in the Androy region in southern Madagascar. 

Before his military fame, he served as governor of Androy from 2016 to 2018 under former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

After his term as governor, he returned to the army and led an infantry battalion in the coastal city of Toliara, where he served until 2022.

Once a prisoner, now president

In November 2023, Randrianirina was arrested and jailed in a maximum-security prison without trial. He was accused of planning a coup and inciting mutiny charges many believed were politically motivated. 

Student groups and soldiers protested his arrest, describing him as a patriot punished for speaking the truth.

He was released in February 2024, and by October 2025, he had taken charge of the entire country, a comeback story that has shocked many.

Defied orders to shoot protesters

Randrianirina’s boldness became clear during the latest protests. As demonstrations grew larger, he openly told security forces not to fire on civilians. 

His message spread fast, and many soldiers switched sides to support the protesters. That single act may have decided the fate of Rajoelina’s government.

His Beliefs and Priorities

Randrianirina is described as “simple but tough”, patriotic, and a devout Christian. He told the BBC he sees himself as a “servant of the people.”

When asked to respond in French, one of Madagascar’s official languages, he refused, insisting on speaking Malagasy, his native tongue. “Why can’t I speak my language?” he asked, showing his rejection of the country’s colonial past under France.

The colonel has said his main focus is social welfare. He has promised that the military will rule for up to two years alongside a civilian government before new elections are held. He believes the country needs stability and time to rebuild before returning to democracy.

A Leader Surrounded by Questions

Since taking power, Randrianirina has suspended parliament, the Senate, the electoral commission, and even the High Constitutional Court, the same court that approved his takeover. He says these moves are temporary, meant to “restore order.” But critics fear this could mark the start of another long military regime.

Despite his sudden fame, many details about his life remain hidden, his age, family, education, and even how he rose through the army’s ranks.

What is clear, though, is that in just three days, Colonel Michael Randrianirina went from being a little-known officer to the most powerful man in Madagascar.

Whether he will be remembered as a hero who restored order or as another soldier who seized power remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, Madagascar has entered a new and uncertain chapter under its new military president.