Overview
- Colonel Michaël Randrianirina took the oath of office on October 17 at the Highest Constitutional Court after the military seized power on October 14.
- He says he will appoint a national unity government that includes civilians and has announced a transitional National Defence Council.
- Officials state that nationwide elections will follow reforms to the electoral commission and voter rolls, with earlier military pledges pointing to a two‑year transition.
- The African Union has suspended Madagascar over what it called a coup, and Randrianirina says discussions with the AU have begun, with a SADC delegation due October 20.
- Parliament removed President Andry Rajoelina and the top court endorsed the move; Rajoelina rejects the action and says he relocated to a safe place, with media reporting he left on a French military plane.