Madagascar military leader sworn in as president after youth-led protests

Colonel Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as the new president of Madagascar days after a military takeover in the country, the BBC reported.

Randrianirina, head of Madagascar's elite CAPSAT army unit, succeeds ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country and was later impeached following weeks of youth-led protests demanding greater accountability from his government.

The ceremony took place at the Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo, where a large crowd gathered to watch - including those who spearheaded the protests.

"Today marks a historic turning-point for our country," the new president said as he thanked young people for demanding change.

Constitutional Court president Florent Rakotoarisoa has criticized the international community for describing the situation in Madagascar as a coup, the BBC reported.

He said that there was no violation of the constitution in Madagascar.

Protesters had hoped that Rajoelina would simply resign and pave the way for a smooth, democratic transition.

Instead, he clung to power, dissolving his government and holding a series of dialogues with different groups of people, efforts that were not enough to appease the protesters, the BBC reported.

The protests, which started last month, were initially organised by a youth movement known as Gen Z Mada - angered by persistent power and water shortages.

On Tuesday Colonel Michael Randrianirina and his troops joined the thousands of protesters on the streets of the capital.