Madagascar Coup Leader Appoints Businessman as PM

Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo

Madagascar’s coup leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, appointed businessman and consultant Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo as the country’s new prime minister on Monday.

Randrianirina assumed the presidency on Friday after seizing power amid youth-led protests that ousted his predecessor.

The new president said Rajaonarivelo was chosen for his experience and “connections with international organizations that work with us.”

Former leader Andry Rajoelina, impeached after fleeing abroad last weekend, has denounced the military takeover and refused to relinquish power, despite defections in the security forces and the High Constitutional Court quickly validating the coup.