Published On 16/10/2025
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Last update: 22:35 (Mecca time)
The British Economist magazine wondered whether what happened in Madagascar was a revolution of Generation Z or a clear-cut military coup, while the French newspaper Le Monde confirmed in its editorial today that nothing guarantees that the military will take the initiative to meet the demands of the suffering population.
The Economist quoted Michael Randrianirina – a colonel in the elite unit known as “CAPSAT” who appointed himself interim president of the country on October 14 – as saying that what happened was “not a coup,” adding that it was a response to “the continuous appeal of the people of Madagascar.”
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The magazine continued that although the youth, with their slogans, revealed the weakness of President Andry Rajoelina’s regime, it was members of the army who overthrew him, and said that the question now revolves around whether the army will relinquish power in the future.
Military promises
The magazine explained that many in Madagascar – it seems – want to give Colonel Randrianirina (51 years old) an opportunity to prove himself, and they point to other political crises that the country has witnessed to confirm that there will be an eventual return to civilian rule.
However, the magazine explained that this depends on Colonel Randrianirina himself, highlighting that he is an unknown figure, even in Madagascar itself.
He comes from the very poor south of the country and is a member of a tribe with roots in Africa, so he is one of the few leaders who does not belong to the dominant Merina ethnic group, whose origins are in Southeast Asia. His background as an outsider will help him win the support of the oppressed, even though it may intimidate the elite.
Upon assuming power, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the new military president, said: “Power belongs to the people, not to me,” and pledged to hold elections within the next two years. The magazine commented on these statements by saying: “Coup leaders around the world often make similar promises, and then break them.”
Upon assuming power, Colonel Michael Randrianirena said: “Power belongs to the people, not to me,” and pledged to hold elections within the next two years. The Economist commented: “Coup leaders around the world often make similar promises, then break them.”
No guarantees
For its part, the French newspaper Le Monde said in its editorial today that nothing guarantees that the military who seized power in Madagascar will be able to achieve the aspirations of the people, highlighting that the international community cannot accept more suffering for the people, after turning a blind eye for years to the transgressions of President Andry Rajoelina, who fled abroad.
She continued that since the start of the demonstrations launched by the Generation Z movement and the escape of President Rajoelina last Sunday, October 12, demands to end the ongoing water and electricity outages have turned into a call for the resignation of the head of state.
The newspaper reported that the fall of this elected president in difficult political and economic circumstances in a country that has important potential but suffers from horrific corruption is not bad news.
This president – Le Monde continues – first assumed the presidency of the country in 2009 through a military-backed coup, and then in 2013 he was forced to withdraw from the political arena.
He was then elected twice in elections marred by many irregularities, in 2018 and 2023, and then promised to achieve in 5 years what had not been achieved in the 60 years that have passed since independence, which is to transform Madagascar into an emerging country.
Bad situation
But the situation keeps getting worse year after year, as 80% of Madagascar’s population now lives on less than $3 a day, the educational system has collapsed, and the network of passable roads is less dense than it was at independence.
In contrast, a small elite has flourished around the president, seizing public contracts and monopolies on the exploitation of natural resources, which are sometimes exported through informal channels.
She stressed that there is no guarantee that the military in power will want to fulfill the hopes of the population, or that they will be able to do so. But the international community, “which turned a blind eye to Mr. Rajoelina’s transgressions, would be a hypocrite if it did not do what is necessary for a people who are suffering greatly.”
Le Monde criticized the position of French President Emmanuel Macron, and said that it would have been better for him to refrain from making his statements on October 13 about his concern for “institutional continuity” in Madagascar, repeating a message that she often sends. Paris To the corrupt African leaders but their friends.