The suspension came after soldiers led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina seized power on Tuesday, just hours after the National Assembly voted to remove the embattled leader, who reportedly fled the country amid escalating protests and fears of a coup.
According to Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the President of the AU Commission, the decision to suspend Madagascar was taken after an emergency session of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Wednesday.
The 1306th session of the PSC was convened to address what it described as a “constitutional rupture,” following weeks of unrest and divisions within the security apparatus. “The country is suspended with immediate effect,” Youssouf told AFP, reaffirming the AU’s long-standing policy of rejecting unconstitutional changes of government.
This latest episode marks a troubling repeat of Madagascar’s 2009 political crisis, when the AU also suspended the country after Andry Rajoelina, then an opposition leader, rose to power through a military backed takeover.
At the time, the AU declared that the event met the definition of a coup d’état, citing the unconstitutional handover of power.
Coups on the Rise Across Africa
Madagascar’s military intervention adds to the growing list of coups and attempted power grabs across Africa in recent years, particularly in West and Central Africa.
Nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon have all witnessed the collapse of civilian governments since 2020, often under the pretext of restoring order, combating corruption, or addressing insecurity.
Analysts point to a mix of factors fueling this trend: disillusionment with democratic institutions, worsening economic conditions, foreign interference, and declining public trust in civilian leadership.
The AU and regional blocs such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have condemned the resurgence of coups, but enforcement of anti-coup measures remains inconsistent.
As Madagascar faces renewed uncertainty, the AU’s suspension sends a symbolic warning, but whether it can deter future military takeovers on the continent remains an open question.
