Madagascar has sworn in an army colonel as president, just days after a military takeover on the back of a popular rebellion that sent President Andry Rajoelina fleeing into exile.

The African island nation’s High Constitutional Court on Friday formalised the appointment of Colonel Michael Randrianirina in a ceremony, crowning a tumultuous week in which Rajoelina was impeached for desertion of duty on Tuesday, with the military stepping in.

Mass demonstrations in recent weeks over power and water shortages turned deadly, with the United Nations reporting that at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 others were injured.

“Today marks a historic turning point for our country. With people in full fervour, driven by the desire for change and a deep love for their homeland, we joyfully open a new chapter in the life of our nation,” Randrianirina said on Friday.

The ceremony was attended by military officers, politicians, representatives of the Gen Z youth-led protest movement, and several foreign delegations, including those from the United States, the European Union, Russia, and France.

“We will work hand in hand with all the driving forces of the nation to draft a fine constitution … and to agree on new electoral laws for the organisation of elections and referendums,” Randrianirina said, thanking the youth for spearheading the protests that ousted Rajoelina.

“We are committed to breaking with the past,” Randrianirina said. “Our main mission is to thoroughly reform the country’s administrative, socioeconomic, and political systems of governance,” he added.

Randrianirina said earlier that the military had taken power and dissolved all institutions except the lower house of parliament, or National Assembly.

Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, reporting from the capital Antananarivo, said that Randrianirina had carefully picked his attire: a civilian suit rather than his military uniform, and the location for the ceremony.

“I think what is important to him to bring across is an impression that there are constitutional guidelines around the swearing-in ceremony and going forward, the formation of a new government.”

The 51-year-old commander of the CAPSAT unit has pledged elections in 18 to 24 months and told local media that consultations were under way to appoint a consensus prime minister.

Amid international criticism, including from the United Nations, Randrianirina denied he had initiated a coup, pointing to the constitutional court’s backing of his new role.

Rajoelina’s camp has condemned the constitutional court’s support of the CAPSAT commander as riddled with procedural illegalities that risked destabilizing the former French colony.

It has insisted that Rajoelina remain the leader and was working to find solutions to the problems dogging the impoverished island, which prompted the youth-led protest movement on September 25.