The United Nations has condemned the military takeover in Madagascar, where an army colonel has taken power and will be sworn in as the country’s new leader on Friday.
The swift coup forced President Andry Rajoelina to flee and hide, marking another episode of political instability in the Indian Ocean nation.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of an elite army unit, announced on state media that he would be sworn in before the High Constitutional Court, just three days after declaring that the military had taken control of the country. Soldiers were deployed around the court building early Friday as officials gathered for the ceremony.
The takeover came after weeks of anti-government protests led largely by young people frustrated by worsening living conditions, frequent power and water outages and alleged corruption among political elites.
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In response, the African Union suspended Madagascar, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, condemned what he described as an “unconstitutional change of government” and called for an immediate return to democratic order and respect for the rule of law.
Randrianirina has said the country will now be governed by a military council for 18 months to two years before new elections are held. Despite international criticism, many citizens have celebrated the military intervention and the colonel said that the measure was intended to “assume responsibility as citizens and patriots.”
He promised to “return the country to its former glory, fight against insecurity and gradually try to solve the social problems experienced by the Malagasy people.”
(WASHINGTON POST)
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