Madagascar coup: Who is the Colonel behind the power grab?

A little-known army colonel became Madagascar’s president Friday after a rapid power grab that saw him sworn in as his country’s leader six days after launching a military coup. Here’s what to know about Col. Michael Randrianirina, who seized power following weeks of large anti-government protests by mainly young people: CAPSAT military unit commander Col. Michael Randrianirina A former governor He is from the southern region of Androy — one of Madagascar’s poorest — and he served as its governor between 2016 and 2018. Before that, he was the commander of an infantry battalion in the neighboring Atsimo-Andrefana region. He…