The African Union (AU) has suspended Madagascar following a military coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina from power. The country is now under the leadership of Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who announced on Wednesday, October 15, that he would soon be sworn in as president after the constitutional court invited him to assume the role.
The AU’s decision came just hours after condemning the coup and freezing Madagascar’s membership with immediate effect. Rajoelina, who fled the country over the weekend amid escalating protests and military defections, rejected his impeachment by lawmakers and denounced the military’s takeover.
“My so-called removal is null and void,” he said in a statement released from abroad.
Weeks of youth-led demonstrations — dubbed the “Gen Z protests” — had rocked the capital, Antananarivo, with thousands calling for Rajoelina’s resignation over corruption allegations and worsening economic conditions. The unrest intensified after sections of the army sided with the protesters, refusing to obey orders to disperse the crowds.
By Tuesday, October 14, the military announced it had dissolved all state institutions except the lower house of parliament, which had earlier voted to impeach Rajoelina. Randrianirina, commander of the elite army unit CAPSAT, said the intervention was necessary “to restore order” and pledged a two-year transitional period before fresh elections.
“We took responsibility yesterday,” Randrianirina told journalists. “We will be sworn in soon.”
The AU’s Peace and Security Council described the development as an “unconstitutional change of government,” triggering Madagascar’s automatic suspension under AU rules.
According to Reuters, AU Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to upholding democratic principles, stating:
> “The rule of law must prevail over the rule of force. Our approach is grounded in law and dialogue.”
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