Madagascar: Oppositions kick as president Andry Rajoelina sworn-in for another term
Andry Rajoelina was sworn in as the president of Madagascar for a second term on Saturday, despite fears of unrest from opposition supporters who questioned the results of the November 16 election.
The 49-year-old president first came to power in a 2009 coup. He stepped down in 2014 but became president again after winning the 2018 election.
“I will be the president of all Malagasy people, and I am ready to work with anyone who wants to make the country develop,” he told the crowd at a stadium in the capital Antananarivo.
He promised to pursue industrial growth and unity in the Indian Ocean Island country.
“We will take particular care of the poor, the elderly, women, young people and children. For the next five years, we will pursue three pillars: human capital, industrialization and improving the management of public administration.”
Rajoelina received 58.96% of the votes cast, while the runner-up, lawmaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, got 14.39%, according to the country’s High Constitutional Court, which declares the final results.
The voter turnout was 46.35%, the lowest in the country’s history, as ten out of 13 candidates boycotted the election.
