President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday spoke for the primary time by phone with the military colonel who took over as Madagascar’s head of state after the army ousted his predecessor, pledging the assist of France within the political transition of the previous French colony.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina seized energy from Andry Rajoelina amid protests spearheaded by “Gen Z” protesters offended over persistent energy cuts and financial stagnation within the Indian Ocean island nation.
In October, Randrianirina named a authorities replete with acquainted faces from the island’s political elite, elevating fears of sidelining younger protesters’ requires a clear slate after Rajoelina’s ouster.
Macron within the phone talks supplied Randrianirina “the assist of France”, mentioned a French presidential official asking to not be named.
Macron “welcomed the announcement of a nationwide session course of, a sequence of reforms, notably to fight corruption, and the organisation of elections inside an affordable timeframe,” added the official.
Macron additionally requested Randrianirina to “contain representatives of youth and civil society in these varied processes and supplied France’s assist to help them, along side its worldwide companions,” the official mentioned.
Rajoelina, who additionally has French nationality, fled the island within the wake of the protests.
Randrianirina was sworn in as president in October, swapping his military uniform for a go well with.
