The African Union has suspended Madagascar over this week’s military takeover of the island nation which has been the scene of violent protests since late September.
A spokesperson for the AU told news agencies that Madagascar had been suspended “with immediate effect” following the ousting of President Andry Rajoelina.
However, the official communiqué from the AU’s 1306th Peace and Security Council session made no mention of a formal suspension, instead announcing AU Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf had “called for a fact-finding mission to guide the AU’s next steps.”
“The rule of law must prevail over the rule of force. Our approach is grounded in law and dialogue,” he said.
Youssouf urged a coordinated response involving the AU, the Southern African Development Community and the Indian Ocean Commission.
The ambiguity surrounding Madagascar’s status comes amid its worst political crisis in years.
On Tuesday, elite military forces from the CAPSAT unit seized control of the government shortly after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who fled the country amid escalating protests.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a long-time critic of Rajoelina’s administration and former political prisoner, was confirmed as transitional president by the High Constitutional Court.
He is set to be sworn in on Friday, with the military announcing a two-year roadmap to civilian rule, including institutional reforms and elections.
The transition will be overseen by a committee of officers from the army, gendarmerie, and police.
The military takeover followed weeks of youth-led protests under the banner of “Gen Z Madagascar,” which began on 25 September over water and energy shortages and evolved into broader demands for systemic change.
Protesters accused the Rajoelina government of corruption, poor service delivery, and economic mismanagement in a country where three out of four citizens live in poverty.
JN/APA