The African Union (AU) has announced 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.
The suspension means Madagascar will lose its voting rights and participation in all African Union activities and decision-making. It will also be excluded from AU meetings and programs until constitutional order is restored. The move isolates the country diplomatically within the continent. Additionally, it could affect international aid and partnerships that rely on AU endorsement or coordination.
