A little-known army colonel became Madagascar’s president on Friday after a rapid power grab. He was sworn in as his country’s leader six days after launching a military coup.

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina left the country after an elite military unit turned against the government in an apparent coup that followed weeks of youth-led protests, an opposition lawmaker in the Indian Ocean country said Monday.

Madagascar coup leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina promised that the country is heading towards a transformation.

The country’s high levels of poverty coupled with youth discontent have made it a powder keg for political turmoil. Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest nations: Three-quarters of the country’s 32 million people live in poverty, and the average income is $600 annually.