MADAGASCAR COUP LEADER SIGNALS OPENNESS TO DIALOGUE WITH AFRICAN UNION AFTER SUSPENSION

LUSAKA (Zambia), Oct 17 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Madagascar's military coup leader Colonel Micheal Randrianirina said on Thursday that he was open to talks with the African Union, which a day earlier suspended the country's membership after President Andry Rajoelina was ousted.

"The decision was expected. (But) from now on, there will be behind-the-scenes negotiations. We will see how things unfold," he told a news conference, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

Randrianirina said he was going to be sworn in as president on Friday at a ceremony to be conducted by the High Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo.

However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the same day condemned what he termed the unconstitutional change of government in the island country, calling for a return to constitutional order and the rule of law.

"The secretary-general encourages all Malagasy stakeholders, including the youth, to work together to address the underlying causes of instability," said a statement issued by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, adding that Guterres had also taken note of the country's suspension by the African Union.

Rajoelina, who was impeached by lawmakers this week after fleeing the country, citing his fear of assassination amid weeks of youth-led protests and a military rebellion, equally condemned Randrianirina’s takeover, which stemmed from weeks of Gen-Z protests asking him to step down, an act he declined.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU