The African Union told AFP Wednesday it was suspending Madagascar “with immediate effect” after a coup saw an elite army unit seize power following President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment.
“The country is suspended with immediate effect,” AU Commission chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf told AFP after Madagascar’s top court confirmed Colonel Michael Randrianirina as president to plunge the poor Indian Ocean nation into crisis.
The military leadership under Colonel Michael Randrianirina has promised elections within two years after President Andry Rajoelina was impeached following weeks of popular demonstrations.
The international community voiced alarm, with the United Nations censuring what it called an “unconstitutional” takeover.
The poor Indian Ocean nation 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.