Madagascar minister fired for voting against Russia's Ukraine annexation

FILE PHOTO: Foreign Minister of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture date: Sunday September 18, 2022. Jonathan Hordle/Pool via REUTERS

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar's president has fired his foreign affairs minister for voting at the United Nations to condemn Russian-organised referendums to annex four partially-occupied regions in Ukraine, two sources at the president's office said.

Last Wednesday, the U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn what it said was Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of the four regions in Ukraine and called on all countries not to recognise the move.