Madagascar’s Coup Leader Mandates Polygraph Tests for New Ministers Amid Anti-Corruption Push

Madagascar’s self-appointed military leader, Michael Randrianirina, has ordered that all prospective cabinet members undergo polygraph examinations as a prerequisite for appointment, following his abrupt dismissal of the previous prime minister and government earlier this month. The 36-year-old, who seized power in October after weeks of youth-led protests under the “Gen Z Madagascar” banner, claims the measure targets corruption within the political elite. However, the move has drawn skepticism from those who initially supported the coup, with many young activists now questioning whether the new administration represents genuine reform or merely a reshuffling of the same entrenched power structures. Randrianirina’s ascent to power came after mass demonstrations against economic hardship and political stagnation, but his subsequent appointments have disappointed reform-minded citizens who hoped for a break from the country’s history of elite-dominated governance. The polygraph requirement, while unprecedented in Madagascar’s political history, raises questions about due process and the potential for selective application in a country still grappling with institutional instability following the recent transition of power.

Reported by: Julian Vance

Senior Global Security Correspondent