Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has been sworn in for a 3rd time period after being declared winner of final month’s presidential election, and vowed to pursue industrialisation and unity within the Indian Ocean island nation.
Rajoelina, 49, first got here to energy in a 2009 coup. He stepped down in 2014 however grew to become president once more after successful the 2018 election.
“I will be the president who unites all Malagasy people,” Rajoelina instructed hundreds of his supporters on the swearing-in ceremony within the capital Antananarivo on Saturday, that was additionally attended by six heads of state.
“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, industrialisation and improving the management of public administration.”
Rajoelina received 58.96 per cent of the votes forged, whereas the runner-up, lawmaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, received 14.39 per cent, in keeping with the nation’s High Constitutional Court which declares remaining outcomes.
Randrianasoloniaiko and different contenders have rejected the outcomes of the ballot, which they are saying was marred by irregularities together with intimidation of polling officers and use of public sources by the ruling social gathering.
The election was preceded by weeks of protests, with the opposition saying Rajoelina mustn’t have run as a result of he acquired French nationality in 2014 – which they are saying mechanically revokes his Malagasy one – and had created unfair election situations.
They additionally demanded the polls be postponed and requested Rajoelina to first appoint unbiased officers to the electoral physique.
Ten out of 13 candidates subsequently boycotted the ballot after the federal government refused to implement their calls for however their names remained on the poll.
The opposition described the voter turnout, at 46.35 per cent, because the lowest within the nation’s historical past.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/madagascars-president-sworn-in-after-disputed-poll-c-12928474