Madagascar’s military-led government names mostly civilian cabinet

Madagascar's military-led government, which seized power this month, appointed a cabinet on Tuesday of mostly civilian ministers, including some prominent critics of ousted president Andry Rajoelina. (Reuters/File)
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Updated 28 October 2025
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Madagascar’s military-led government names mostly civilian cabinet

  • The appointments mark a key moment in Madagascar’s political turmoil
  • Rajaonarivelo’s cabinet includes 25 civilians and four military or paramilitary officers

ANTANANARIVO: Madagascar’s military-led government, which seized power this month, appointed a cabinet on Tuesday of mostly civilian ministers, including some prominent critics of ousted president Andry Rajoelina.
The appointments mark a key moment in Madagascar’s political turmoil as the military consolidates power while it tries to address economic hardship and political divisions.
The military staged a coup earlier this month after Rajoelina fled the Indian Ocean island nation following weeks of youth-led protests. Col. Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as interim president days later.

MILITARY-LED PANEL TO RULE FOR UP TO TWO YEARS
Randrianirina has said that a committee led by the military will rule for up to two years alongside a transitional government until new elections can be organized.
The cabinet of new Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, announced on national broadcaster TVM, includes 25 civilians and four military or paramilitary officers.
Christine Razanamahasoa, who was stripped of her position as president of the national assembly by Rajoelina’s party last year, was named foreign minister, while Fanirisoa Ernaivo, a Rajoelina opponent living in exile, was named justice minister.
Economics professor Hery Ramiarison was appointed finance minister.
Security officials were appointed to the ministries of the armed forces, public security, land planning and the gendarmerie.

GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS CHRONIC POWER, WATER SHORTAGES
The government will be tasked with addressing the chronic power and water shortages that triggered the protests against Rajoelina, as well as broader economic challenges.
Between 1960, when Madagascar won independence from France, and 2020, economic output per capita nearly halved, World Bank data shows.
There was no immediate reaction from protest leaders to the cabinet appointments.
Rajoelina, impeached by lawmakers after he fled abroad, has condemned the army takeover and refused to step down while in exile, despite the High Constitutional Court ratifying the new government.


Ukraine president to meet European allies after Trump criticism

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Ukraine president to meet European allies after Trump criticism

  • Talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami ended on Saturday with no apparent breakthrough
  • President Donald Trump accuses Ukrainian leader of not reading the US proposal to end the war with Russia

LONDON: Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet with European allies in London on Monday, after President Donald Trump accused him of not reading the US proposal to end the war with Russia.

It comes after days of talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami ended on Saturday with no apparent breakthrough, with Zelensky committing to further negotiations.

The Ukrainian president will be received in London by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with the German chancellor and French president to discuss the negotiations.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is meanwhile expected in Washington on Monday, where she will meet her American counterpart Marco Rubio.

“The UK and US will reaffirm their commitment to reaching a peace deal in Ukraine,” the Foreign Office in London said, announcing Cooper’s visit.

Moscow has meanwhile continued to strike its neighbor, wounding at least nine people overnight Sunday to Monday, according to Ukrainian officials.

‘Disappointed’

Zelensky said he joined his negotiators for a “very substantive and constructive” call with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during the Miami negotiations.

“Ukraine is committed to continuing to work honestly with the American side to bring about real peace,” Zelensky said on Telegram, adding that the parties agreed “on the next steps and the format of the talks with America.”

But Trump criticized his Ukrainian counterpart on Sunday, telling reporters “I have to say that I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago.”

Witkoff and Kushner had met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin last week, with Moscow rejecting parts of the US proposal.

French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of Monday’s talks slammed what he called Russia’s “escalatory path.”

“We will continue these efforts with the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which no robust and lasting peace will be possible,” Macron wrote on X.

He added: “We must continue to exert pressure on Russia to compel it to choose peace.”

Hot and cold

Washington’s initial plan to bring an end to the almost four-year war involved Ukraine surrendering land that Russia has not been able to win on the battlefield in return for security promises that fall short of Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO.

But the nature of the security guarantees that Ukraine could get has so far been shrouded in uncertainty, beyond an initial plan saying that jets to defend Kyiv could be based in Poland.

Trump has blown hot and cold on Ukraine since returning to office in January, initially embracing Putin and chastising Zelensky for not being grateful for US support.

But he has also grown frustrated that his efforts to persuade Putin to end the war, including a summit in Alaska, have failed to produce results and he recently slapped sanctions on Russian oil firms.