African Union suspends Madagascar from the bloc following military coup

The African Union announced Wednesday that it had suspended Madagascar from its bodies with immediate effect "until constitutional order is restored after a coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina.

The group previously suspended several other member states after military coups, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

The uprising resulted in a military-backed coup that brought Rajoelina to power as the transitional leader of his Indian Ocean country at the age of just 34.

On Tuesday, the same military unit that aided Rajoelina's rise declared it was taking power in Madagascar and ousting him as president following weeks of youth-led protests — this time against Rajoelina and his government.

About 75% of the country's 30 million people are affected by poverty, according to the World Bank, with lack of access to higher education, government corruption and the cost of living among the issues dominating the recent protests.

Meanwhile, Randrianirina "will be sworn in as president of Madagascar during a solemn hearing of the high constitutional court" on 17 October, the country's military rulers said in a statement published on social media by a state television station.

Related articles

Madagascar’s President joins growing list of ousted leaders

How events unfolded in Madagascar

From the same country

Madagascar ex-Senate president sentenced to 10 years over protest crackdown

Madagascar’s top court dismisses lawmaker’s bid to oust military ruler

Madagascar opposition moves to oust military leader in constitutional challenge

Madagascar’s President joins growing list of ousted leaders

How events unfolded in Madagascar

Madagascar ex-Senate president sentenced to 10 years over protest crackdown

00:56

Madagascar’s top court dismisses lawmaker’s bid to oust military ruler

01:13 Madagascar opposition moves to oust military leader in constitutional challenge

Madagascar’s President joins growing list of ousted leaders

How events unfolded in Madagascar

Madagascar ex-Senate president sentenced to 10 years over protest crackdown

00:56

Madagascar’s top court dismisses lawmaker’s bid to oust military ruler

01:13 Madagascar opposition moves to oust military leader in constitutional challenge

NEWS 01:03 Madagascar pauses corruption cases relating to ex-president, officials

BUSINESS

02:05

Prized wild pepper at risk in Madagascar's shrinking forests

NEWS

01:33

Madagascar's Gen Z 'betrayed' after ushering in military govt

NEWS

01:48

Madagascar’s Gen Z protesters mark one year since Rajoelina’s fall

BUSINESS

00:51

Madagascar tourist arrivals grow despite instability

NEWS

00:47

Madagascar moves to reclaim colonial-era land in sovereignty push

01:30

Nigeria

Nigeria's Tinubu defends policies as he launches re-election bid

01:13

Gabon

Gabon restores social media access after an eight-month ban

01:01 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport partially resumes flights after Houthi attacks