Randrianirina names new 30 member Cabinet

Antananarivo – Madagascar’s President Michael Randrianirina on Wednesday announced a new 30 member Cabinet, weeks after dissolving the previous administration and removing Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo from office.

The new team was unveiled at the Iavoloha Palace, south of the capital Antananarivo. It brings together 17 ministers who served in the former government and 13 new appointees entering Cabinet for the first time.

Nine women form part of the new line up. They join recently appointed Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison, a former director general of the Financial Intelligence Unit and a gendarmerie officer known for her anti corruption work. She was named prime minister earlier this month following the dismissal of the previous government.

The reshuffle marks President Randrianirina’s first major reconfiguration of Cabinet since taking office last October. He assumed leadership of the Indian Ocean island nation after protests led to the departure of former president Andry Rajoelina.

Randrianirina has since committed to organising national elections next year under a transitional arrangement referred to as the Refoundation of the Republic.