**Madagascar's Military President Implements Unconventional Measure to Combat Corruption** Madagascar's military president, Michael Randrianirina, has announced that new ministers will be required to pass lie detector tests as part of their background integrity checks. This decision comes after Randrianirina dismissed the prime minister and cabinet without explanation on March 9. Randrianirina's decision to use polygraph tests is an effort to root out corrupt candidates and identify individuals who are committed to the youth-led movement that brought him to power. The move has been met with skepticism by some, including a manager of the social media accounts for Gen Z Madagascar, who stated, "It's not even scientifically proven to work. For me, it's just a joke and embarrassing." The use of polygraph tests is part of a broader effort by Randrianirina to clean up the government and address the widespread corruption that has plagued Madagascar for years. The country has one of the lowest GDP per capita in the world, with a figure of just $545 (£408) in 2024, according to World Bank data. The island is rich in natural resources, including vanilla and precious gems, which campaigners say have been exploited by officials and corrupt businesspeople. The youth-led protests that brought Randrianirina to power began in September 2023, initially focusing on issues such as water and power cuts. However, the protests soon escalated into demands for a complete overhaul of the political system. At least 22 people were killed in the first days of the protests, according to the United Nations. Randrianirina was sworn in as interim president on October 12, after the elite military unit Capsat, in which he was a colonel, came out in support of protesters. The previous president, Andry Rajoelina, reportedly fled the country for Dubai on a French military plane the following day. Randrianirina has pledged to hold elections by late 2027, but has faced criticism from Gen Z activists over his appointments, which they perceive as being tied to the previous regime. The new prime minister, Mamitiana Rajaonarison, will be responsible for interviewing ministerial candidates who have passed the lie detector test. Randrianirina has stated that he is not looking for individuals who are 100% clean, but rather those who are over 60% clean. He believes that this will allow Madagascar to finally develop and move forward. Madagascar's ranking in Transparency International's 2025 corruption perceptions index is 148 out of 180 countries, highlighting the significant challenges the country faces in terms of corruption and governance. The use of polygraph tests is an unconventional measure that remains to be seen whether it will be effective in addressing the corruption that has plagued the country for years.