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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