AU suspends Madagascar as military leader to be sworn in as president

"Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has had a history of coups and political crises. The latest military takeover capped weeks of protests against Rajoelina and his government, led by youth groups calling themselves Gen Z Madagascar. The protesters, who also included labour unions and civic groups, have demanded better government and job opportunities, echoing youth-led protests elsewhere in the world."

"Among other things, the Madagascar protesters have railed against chronic water and electricity outages, limited access to higher education, government corruption and poverty, which affects roughly three out of every four Madagascans, according to the World Bank. Although some suggest the military seized power on the backs of the civilian protesters, demonstrators cheered Randrianirina and other soldiers from his elite CAPSAT unit as they triumphantly rode through the streets of the capital Antana"

"Rajoelina, who was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing abroad during the weekend, has condemned the takeover and refused to step down despite youth-led demonstrations demanding his resignation and widespread defections in the security forces. Randrianirina led a rebellion that sided with the protesters and ousted Rajoelina on Tuesday in the sprawling country of about 30 million people off of Africa's east coast."

Colonel Michael Randrianirina will be sworn in as Madagascar's transitional president during a High Constitutional Court hearing on October 17. The African Union announced it would suspend Madagascar following the coup that removed President Andry Rajoelina. Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing abroad and has condemned the takeover while refusing to step down. The takeover followed weeks of protests led by Gen Z Madagascar, labour unions and civic groups demanding better governance, jobs and public services. Protesters cited chronic water and electricity outages, limited access to higher education, corruption and widespread poverty affecting about three in four people.

Read at www.aljazeera.com