Madagascar military leader to become transitional president

Madagascar's Colonel Michael Randrianirina is set to be sworn in as the country's transitional president on Friday.Randrianirina and the transitional government have pledged to hold elections in 18 to 24 months, telling local media that consultations were under way to appoint a prime minister and form a new government. It all comes after Randrianirina announced on Tuesday that the armed forces were taking power of the country, following the impeachment of former president Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country. Protests against Rajoelina and his government, led by youth groups calling themselves "Gen Z Madagascar," had rocked the country for weeks prior to the military takeover. "It wasn't a coup, it was a case of taking responsibility because the country was on the brink of collapse," Randrianirina said.He confirmed that the military had taken power and dissolved all institutions except the lower house of parliament, or National Assembly.Randrianirina was a commander in the elite CAPSAT military unit that played a key role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power in the first place.The international community has expressed concern over the swift change in power in the poor island nation.The African Union said on Wednesday it was suspending Madagascar "with immediate effect" from the bloc.Meanwhile, the UN said it was "deeply concerned by the unconstitutional change of power."France, former colonial ruler in Madagascar, urged in a statement that it was "now essential that democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law be scrupulously upheld." A spokesman for the German foreign ministry said all actors needed to "act with caution in this currently somewhat confusing situation."