Madagascar’s new military ruler, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, on Wednesday said that he would be sworn in as president today, after the African Union suspended the membership of the nation following a coup to oust Andry Rajoelina as president.
Rajoelina, whom lawmakers impeached after he fled abroad at the weekend, has condemned the takeover and refused to step down despite protests asking him to quit and widespread defections in the security forces.
Randrianirina said in a statement that the Madagascan High Constitutional Court would perform the ceremony.
Photo: AP
“Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as the president for the refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar during a formal hearing,” he said.
The African Union on Wednesday announced that the bloc had suspended Madagascar with immediate effect following the coup and called for the restoration of civilian-led governance as well as elections.
Suspension by the 55-member bloc carries political weight and could isolate the new leadership.
Randrianirina said earlier that the military had taken power and dissolved all institutions except the Madagascan National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
He said that a committee led by the military would rule for up to two years alongside a transitional government before a new elections.
Meanwhile, Rajoelina in a separate statement on Wednesday said that “explicit and extremely serious threats were made against the life of the head of state,” prompting his departure.
The threats had come when he was due to travel abroad for a mission, it said.
Media reports indicated that the 51-year-old leader was evacuated on Sunday aboard a French military plane.
On Monday, he said he had taken refuge in a “safe place” without giving further details.
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