Keypoints:
- Madagascar to vet ministers using lie detector tests
- Interim leader pushes integrity reforms after protests
- New cabinet expected to be announced next week
MADAGASCAR’S interim president has ordered lie detector tests for prospective ministers, introducing an unconventional vetting system as the country prepares to unveil a new cabinet following months of political unrest.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina confirmed on Thursday that all candidates being considered for ministerial roles would undergo polygraph examinations before final appointments are made.
Integrity checks follow cabinet dismissal
The directive comes 10 days after Randrianirina abruptly dismissed the previous prime minister and cabinet without publicly outlining his reasons, signalling a decisive reset of the government.
Speaking to local media, the interim leader said the polygraph tests would form part of a broader integrity screening process designed to identify candidates capable of supporting reform.
‘We have decided to use a polygraph,’ he said. ‘It is through this process that the background integrity checks will be carried out.’
He added that the tests would help determine which individuals could be trusted to support the country’s transition and avoid undermining the reform agenda.
Protests triggered political transition
Madagascar has been in a fragile transition since protests erupted in September last year over persistent water and electricity shortages.
As previously reported by Africa Briefing in Madagascar military seizes power after revolt, demonstrations that began over basic services quickly evolved into a nationwide uprising against corruption and governance failures.
The unrest intensified further, with the government warning of a coup attempt amid escalating protests, according to Madagascar protests: Rajoelina alleges coup plot.
Eventually, elements of the military intervened, forcing former President Andry Rajoelina from power — a development covered in AU suspends Madagascar after military coup.
Randrianirina, whose military unit sided with protestors during the unrest, was sworn in as interim president in October. He has since pledged to organise new elections by late 2027.
New cabinet due next week
The interim leader said a new cabinet would be announced early next week, once the vetting process is complete.
Only candidates who pass the polygraph stage will proceed to final interviews conducted jointly by Randrianirina and Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison, who assumed office on March 15 after previously leading anti-money-laundering efforts.
The first administration formed under Randrianirina included several established political figures, a move that drew criticism from segments of the protest movement seeking a more decisive break from the past.
‘Not looking for perfection’
Despite the strict screening approach, the president indicated that the process would not demand absolute integrity.
‘We are not looking for someone who is 100 percent clean, but over 60 percent,’ he said, suggesting a pragmatic approach to governance in a system long challenged by corruption concerns.
He argued that setting a realistic benchmark could help balance reform ambitions with the need to assemble a functioning administration.
Concerns over reliability and governance
The use of lie detectors in political vetting is likely to raise questions among legal experts and governance observers, given that polygraph tests are not widely regarded as definitive measures of truth.
Critics may also question whether the approach aligns with due process and institutional transparency, particularly as Madagascar seeks to rebuild trust with both citizens and international partners.
Still, the interim government appears determined to demonstrate a visible break from past practices as it works to stabilise the country and restore confidence in public institutions.
With elections planned for 2027, the effectiveness of these measures will ultimately be judged by whether the new cabinet delivers tangible improvements in governance and public service delivery.
