Madagascar has been suspended from the African Union (AU) and all its institutions with immediate effect following a purported military takeover of power.
The decision was made at an emergency AU Peace and Security Council session on Madagascar on Wednesday.
Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, told AFP that the decision takes immediate effect.
On Tuesday, Madagascar’s elite army, CAPSAT announced it has taken over power following weeks of political instability and Gen Z protests.
The country’s president, Andry Rajoelina, who has left Madagascar for his “safety” insists he remains president of the country, urging citizens to ignore the claims by CAPSAT.
The development has drawn international criticism as the United Nations expresses concern over what it says is an “unconstitutional change of power.”
The AU has also condemned the change of government, urging a coordinated response and the deployment of 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,” Mahmoud Ali Youssouf noted.
Meanwhile, former Malawian president, Joyce Banda has been appointed to lead the fact-finding mission to engage Madagascar’s government and all stakeholders, in an attempt to ease tensions in the Indian Ocean nation.
