AU suspends Madagascar as military prepares to install colonel as president

Madagascar’s new military ruler, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was set to be sworn in as the country’s transitional president on Friday, capping a dramatic military takeover that ousted President Andry Rajoelina.

Randrianirina “will be sworn in as President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar during a solemn hearing of the High Constitutional Court” on October 17, the country’s new leadership said in a statement on Wednesday, which was published on social media by a state television station.

The announcement came as the international community voiced alarm at developments, with the African Union suspending Madagascar “with immediate effect”, and the United Nations censuring the military’s seizure of power as “unconstitutional”.

At a bloc meeting earlier on Wednesday, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said: “The rule of law must prevail over the rule of force. Our approach is grounded in law and dialogue”.

The poor Indian Ocean nation of Madagascar was plunged into its worst political upheaval in years after the CAPSAT elite military unit took power moments after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina on Tuesday.