Madagascar military ruler orders ministers to pass lie detector tests

Madagascar’s military president, Michael Randrianirina, has said new ministers must pass lie detector tests to root out corrupt candidates after he dismissed the prime minister and cabinet without explanation earlier this month. He came to power in a coup in October following weeks of youth-led protests under the banner "Gen Z Madagascar", though young activists quickly voiced disappointment at his choice of officials.

Randrianirina told local media, "We have decided to use a polygraph. It is with this polygraph that the background integrity checks will be carried out." He said a new cabinet would be announced early next week and warned the tests would reveal "who is corrupt and who can help us, who is going to betray the youth struggle." On 9 March he fired the prime minister and cabinet and later named the anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison as the new prime minister; he and Rajaonarison would only interview ministerial candidates who passed a lie detector test.

Madagascar

madagascar, michael randrianirina, polygraph, lie detector, coup, gen z, mamitiana rajaonarison, anti corruption, prime minister, cabinet