Michael Kaluki

Earlier on Wednesday, gunfire was reported in parts of the country's capital, Bissau.

The United States Mission to Guinea-Bissau issued a security advisory calling on U.S.

citizens in the country to seek secure shelter.

The African Union and West African Regional Bloc ECOWAS issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the coup announcement.

Guinea-Bissau has witnessed continued political turmoil.

There have been several coups in the country since it gained independence over five decades ago.

For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaluki in Nairobi.

A week after dissolving the country's government, President Andre Rajolina has named Rufin Zafisambo, a military general, as Madagascar's new prime minister.

For more than two weeks, protesters have been calling for an end to frequent water and power cuts.

They have also denounced the government and called for the president to step down.

But Mr. Rajoylina has given no indication he will resign.

Earlier in the day, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Antananarivo.

Protests were also reported in a number of other cities in the country.

According to the United Nations, several people were killed and many others injured during the initial days of the protests.

For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaluki in Nairobi.