MILITARY leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as Madagascar’s transitional president on Friday, the country’s new leadership has announced.

This comes after the African Union (AU) said it was suspending Madagascar after the ousting of President Andry Rajoelina.

A statement from the new military leaders today said Colonel Randrianirina “will be sworn in as President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar during a solemn hearing of the High Constitutional Court” on October 17.

President Rajoelina, who was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing abroad — with the aid of former colonial ruler France — over the weekend, has condemned the takeover and refused to step down despite youth-led demonstrations demanding his resignation and widespread defections in the security forces.

Colonel Randrianirina led a military rebellion that sided with the protesters and removed Mr Rajoelina in the east African island nation of about 30 million people.

The military takeover capped weeks of protests led by youth groups calling themselves “Gen Z Madagascar” and including trade unions and civic groups, hit the streets against limitations on access to water and electricity as well as demands for better government and job opportunities.

Although some critics have suggested the military seized power on the backs of the civilian protesters, demonstrators cheered Colonel Randrianirina and other soldiers from his elite Army Corps of Personnel and Administrative and Technical Services unit as they triumphantly rode through the streets of the capital Antananarivo on Tuesday.

The colonel has promised elections in two years.

The takeover was “an awakening of the people. It was launched by the youth. And the military supported us,” said the protest leader, Safika, who only gave one name.

“We must always be wary, but the current state of affairs gives us reason to be confident,” said Safika.

The AU condemned the coup and announced the country’s suspension from the bloc. The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned by the unconstitutional change of power.”