Colonel Michael Randrianirina was formally sworn in as President of Madagascar on Friday, just days after seizing power in a dramatic military led takeover triggered by mass youth led protests against the previous government.

The swearing in ceremony took place in the capital, Antananarivo, amid scenes of celebration that included blaring trumpets, traditional sword salutes, and large crowds waving national flags. Supporters cheered as Randrianirina pledged to restore “stability, dignity, and national unity” in the wake of what he called a “constitutional crisis.”

The transition follows the ousting of former President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country over the weekend amid growing unrest and a breakdown of political authority. Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers shortly after his departure. The High Constitutional Court ratified the military takeover within hours, granting Randrianirina legitimacy under Malagasy law.

Despite this, Rajoelina now in self imposed exile abroad has condemned the takeover as illegitimate and insists he remains the rightful leader. In a video address posted Thursday, he vowed to challenge the “unconstitutional coup,” even as the majority of Madagascar’s security forces and several senior government officials have defected to the new regime.

Youth-Led Uprising and Rapid Political Shift

The power shift follows weeks of student led protests and grassroots mobilization over corruption allegations, economic hardship, and frustration with political elites. Demonstrations swelled in early October, culminating in nationwide strikes and clashes with security forces.

Colonel Randrianirina, a relatively low profile figure until now, rose to prominence after aligning himself with protest leaders and calling for “a national reset.” Backed by elements of the army and civil society, he declared the government “incapacitated” and took control of state institutions.

Regional and International Reactions

The African Union and United Nations have expressed concern about the military’s role in the transition, urging a swift return to constitutional order and democratic elections. However, both bodies stopped short of calling the takeover a coup, instead noting the “unique and evolving context.”

Some analysts say Randrianirina’s swift move to seek court ratification and his public statements about elections may help defuse international criticism, though questions remain about the timeline for a return to civilian rule.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister is set to travel to Myanmar on Thursday for high level talks with the country’s ruling military junta, the Malaysian government announced. The visit is expected to focus on the junta’s upcoming election plans and the long-stalled peace process aimed at ending the political and humanitarian crisis triggered by the 2021 military coup.

The minister’s trip marks a rare diplomatic engagement with the junta, as most ASEAN and Western nations have kept formal contact limited since the military seized power, ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

According to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, the envoy will press Myanmar’s generals to show concrete progress on the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus a regional peace roadmap agreed upon in 2021 but largely ignored by the junta since.

“Malaysia remains committed to supporting a peaceful resolution in Myanmar and ensuring that any future elections are credible, inclusive, and grounded in national reconciliation,” the ministry said in a statement.

Concerns Over Planned Elections

Myanmar’s military government has said it plans to hold elections in 2026, though international observers have expressed skepticism over the transparency and legitimacy of the process, especially amid ongoing crackdowns on dissent and violent clashes with ethnic militias and pro-democracy resistance groups.

Malaysia has taken a more vocal stance than some of its Southeast Asian neighbors, repeatedly calling for the release of political prisoners and unrestricted humanitarian access to conflict zones.

The upcoming visit comes as part of Kuala Lumpur’s broader effort to revive regional diplomacy on Myanmar and ensure that the crisis remains a top priority on the ASEAN agenda.

“There will be no life in Lebanon if the government chooses confrontation,” Qassem said in a public address, escalating tensions between Hezbollah and the political establishment amid growing domestic and international pressure.

The comments come as Lebanon faces mounting calls to curtail the influence of Hezbollah, which continues to operate as a heavily armed militia outside of the national military framework. Critics argue that the group’s dominance over political and security affairs has contributed to Lebanon’s ongoing political paralysis and economic collapse.

Qassem’s warning is seen by many as a direct challenge to state sovereignty, and underscores the deepening power struggle between Hezbollah and factions within the Lebanese government seeking to restore national authority over all armed actors.

Background and Regional Context

Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and several other countries, holds significant sway in Lebanon’s Parliament and wields de facto control over portions of southern Lebanon. It has also played a central role in regional conflicts, including the Syrian civil war and the recent flare-ups along the Israeli border.

The group’s growing alignment with Iranian military and political interests has drawn concern from Western and Gulf states, as well as from segments of the Lebanese public calling for neutrality and disarmament.

Qassem’s comments come at a time when Lebanon is under pressure to implement reforms in exchange for stalled international financial assistance.