Madagascar leader Randrianirina mandates lie detector tests for ministers after shock cabinet sacking….reports Asian Lite News
Madagascar’s military backed interim president Michael Randrianirina has said prospective ministers will be required to undergo lie detector tests as part of efforts to weed out corruption, following his recent dismissal of the prime minister and cabinet without explanation, according to local media reports.
Randrianirina, who came to power in a coup in October after weeks of youth led protests under the “Gen Z Madagascar” movement, said the polygraph tests would be used to assess the integrity of candidates for his new administration.
“We have decided to use a polygraph. It is with this polygraph that the background integrity checks will be carried out,” he told local media.
He added that a new cabinet would be announced early next week, saying the tests would help identify “who is corrupt and who can help us, who is going to betray the youth struggle”.
The protests, led largely by young people, began in September over water and power cuts before expanding into wider demands for political reform. At least 22 people were killed in the early days of the unrest, according to the United Nations.
On October 11, the elite military unit Capsat, in which Randrianirina served as a colonel, backed the protesters. A day later, then president Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled the country for Dubai on a French military aircraft.
Randrianirina was subsequently sworn in as interim president and has pledged to hold elections by late 2027. However, Gen Z activists have continued to press for a clear timeline while criticising his appointments, which they say are linked to the previous political establishment, local media reported.
