UN condemns Madagascar military coup following ouster of president News
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UN condemns Madagascar military coup following ouster of president

The United Nations condemned the military takeover in Madagascar on Thursday, and called for an immediate restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law. This follows the ouster of President Andry Rajoelina by an elite army unit known as CAPSAT.

The Secretary General also urged all the stakeholders to work together to tackle the root causes of the instability in the country, while also reaffirming the UN’s readiness to support the country in achieving national stability. The military seized power in the Indian Ocean island nation due to widespread public discontent with Rajoelina’s government. This unrest was fueled by limited opportunities, pervasive poverty, and persistent water and electricity outages, which had resulted in weeks of Gen Z protests in the country. The coup resulted in Col. Michael Randrianirina being sworn in as the president.

The United Nations highlighted in its statement that even after the coup, Madagascar currently faces severe humanitarian emergencies, including extreme hunger, which is only expected to rise alongside a strained health system that is currently battling a malaria outbreak. The organization also highlighted that these conditions are being exacerbated by inadequate funding for UN relief operations. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated:

The Secretary-General condemns the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and calls for the return to constitutional order and the rule of law.

This comes after former President Rajoelina had dissolved the government due to violent protests in September. The military coup had resulted in Rajoelina fleeing the country last week. The military has promised elections in Madagascar within two years.

 

THIS DAY @ LAW

WWII National War Labor Board established

On January 12, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt revived the National War Labor Board (NWLB) for World War II. In order to prevent wartime labor stoppages, the NWLB was set up to arbitrate labor disputes that arose during the war. The NWLB also managed wage controls over the airplane, automobile, shipping, mining, telegraph, and railway industries during the war. The original NWLB was created by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I for largely the same purposes. Read Cornell University's collection of NWLB files from both World Wars.