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World gives Madagascar's new leader the cold shoulder

People on the streets survey the damage from looting Cristina Corbett/IRIN
    JOHANNESBURG

    Andry Rajoelina's presidential inauguration on 21 March is expected to be a smallish affair, as the world increasingly condemns the manner in which he attained power.



    The former (elected) President Marc Ravalomanana relinquished his post after the army threw its weight behind the 34-year-old former mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, on 17 March.



    The African Union suspended the island state from the organization on 20 March for the "unconstitutional change of government", and said it would discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions if an election was not held within six months, as stipulated in Madagascar's constitution.



    The US, the European Union and the Southern African Development Community, the 15-member regional body of which Madagascar is also member, have joined the chorus of dissent but have yet to announce any punitive measures.



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    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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