(MENAFN) The African Union (AU) has suspended Madagascar’s membership after the military ousted President Andry Rajoelina, forcing him to flee to a “safe location” amid escalating unrest.

The suspension was announced Wednesday, hours after Colonel Michael Randrianirina, leader of the military coup and commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, declared he would soon be sworn in as president. He stated that he intends to oversee a transitional period “to restore stability” following weeks of violent protests and internal divisions within the security forces.

In a statement following a meeting of its Peace and Security Council, the AU said it “strongly condemns the seizure of power by the military on 14 October 2025” and “totally rejects the unconstitutional change of government.” The bloc further declared that Madagascar would be “immediately suspended… from participation in all activities of the union, its organs and institutions, until constitutional order is restored in the country.”

Protests over rising living costs and persistent power outages had engulfed Madagascar for weeks before elements of the army sided with demonstrators, criticizing alleged government repression. Rajoelina left the country over the weekend, citing threats to his life after troops surrounded the presidential palace. Lawmakers subsequently impeached him on Tuesday, while the military assumed control. The president had previously attempted to dissolve parliament amid growing calls for his removal.

The High Constitutional Court then invited Col. Randrianirina to assume the role of head of state, citing a “vacuum” created by Rajoelina’s departure. Under the new military administration, many key institutions have been suspended, leaving the National Assembly as the only functioning body.

Madagascar now joins Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Sudan as African nations currently suspended from the AU following coups.

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