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The African Union has decided to suspend Madagascar just hours after the military coup leader announced plans to assume the presidency.
“The rule of law must prevail over the rule of force,” said AU Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf in a statement on Wednesday, noting the suspension was with immediate effect.
Following weeks of protests by anti-government “Gen-Z” demonstrators, which involved military factions due to water and electricity shortages, President Andry Rajoelina fled the country out of concern for his safety. His dismissal of the entire government only intensified calls for him to step down.
From an undisclosed location, he sought to dissolve the National Assembly through a decree. The National Assembly rejected the decree and voted to impeach him on Tuesday.
Shortly thereafter, Colonel Michael Randrianirina and his elite CAPSAT military unit declared that they had taken control, dismantled most state institutions, and would establish a transitional government. Randrianirina informed reporters earlier on Wednesday that he would soon be inaugurated as president after an invitation from the High Constitutional Court to assume the position.
On the same day, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) appointed a panel of elders in an effort to reduce tensions in the former French colony.
Malawian President Peter Mutharika, who chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, stated that former Malawian President Joyce Banda would lead the panel in its mission to achieve restraint, peace, and dialogue within the island nation.
