Madagascar Appoints New Prime Minister During Transitional Shake-up

Madagascar’s transitional leader, Michael Randrianirina, has appointed Mamitiana Rajaonarison, head of SAMIFIN, as prime minister after dissolving the previous cabinet. He will oversee a two-year transition including a new constitution and 2027 elections. The move follows public calls for reform and youth protests.

Madagascar’s transitional leader, Michael Randrianirina, has named Mamitiana Rajaonarison, the head of the country’s financial intelligence unit SAMIFIN, as the new prime minister, following the recent unexpected dissolution of the government. Rajaonarison, who has led the anti-money-laundering agency since 2021, brings to the position a background as a former senior gendarmerie officer and a career civil administrator. He succeeds Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, who was dismissed last week when the cabinet was unexpectedly dissolved. Rajaonarivelo had been appointed shortly after Randrianirina assumed power in October, in the wake of widespread protests that forced former president Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.
In a statement released on Sunday, the presidency indicated that Rajaonarison would head a newly formed cabinet tasked with guiding the country through its transitional period. Speaking during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Antananarivo, Randrianirina emphasized the need for decisive and bold leadership during this critical period. He described Rajaonarison as a man of integrity who “cannot be bought with money,” signaling a commitment to transparency and accountability in the government’s operations.
Randrianirina has faced accusations that his assumption of power amounted to a coup; however, he maintains that the Constitutional Court legally transferred authority to him. He has outlined a two-year transitional plan intended to restore stability and public confidence, which includes nationwide consultations, the drafting of a new constitution, and the organization of presidential elections scheduled for 2027.
Political analysts have expressed surprise at the sudden removal of the previous prime minister, noting that the decision was abrupt and unanticipated. Some observers suggest that growing public demands for reform, coupled with pressure from youth-led protest movements, may have influenced Randrianirina’s choice to restructure the cabinet. The appointment of Rajaonarison is seen as an effort to strengthen governance, enforce financial accountability, and reassure the public that the transitional government is committed to integrity and institutional reform during a period of significant political uncertainty.
The move highlights the transitional leadership’s strategy to consolidate authority while signaling to both domestic and international observers that Madagascar’s government is taking steps to address corruption, promote transparency, and maintain stability amid ongoing political challenges. The selection of a figure with a background in financial intelligence and civil administration underscores the importance placed on sound fiscal management and oversight as the country navigates its path toward elections and constitutional reform.