The African Union announced Wednesday 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 United Nations chief on Thursday condemned the military takeover in Madagascar as an army colonel who led the coup was set to be quickly sworn in as president just three days after announcing soldiers had taken charge. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres “condemns the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar…

Madagascar's Colonel Michael Randrianirina insisted on the eve of his swearing in as new leader on Friday that a military power grab that sent President Andry Rajoelina fleeing the island was "not a coup".