Madagascar’s President Marc Ravalomanana has resigned after months of political opposition come to a head. In an eventful day the Ravalomanana realising his political options were fading away rapidly attempted to split the coalition that had built up between the opposition, led by 34 year old former DJ Andry Rajoelina, and the military.

His attempt to hand over power to the head of Madagascar’s navy was rebuffed with the naval head Admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson refusing to take power and instead declaring “We will give powers to Andry Rajoelina to become president of the high transitional authority”.

Rajoelina will now head an interim government and has promised to organise elections within the next two years.

Following on from what many international observers have regarded as a civilian coup d’etat the African Union has condemned what has taken place and is demanding the Ravalomanana safety is guaranteed.