Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina took decisive action on Tuesday, dissolving the nation’s Parliament just hours before lawmakers were set to cast their votes on his impeachment. This latest maneuver underscores his determined effort to retain leadership amidst a tumultuous period marked by widespread youth-led protests against his administration.
For weeks, the country has been engulfed in chaotic demonstrations, initially sparked by failures in basic services like water and electricity. However, these grievances quickly escalated into broader calls for change, leading some segments of Madagascar’s security forces to withdraw their support for Rajoelina. Despite the escalating crisis, the president has maintained a defiant stance. In a recent address on Monday, he asserted that he had been forced into hiding due to threats against his life, yet firmly declared his commitment to continue working for the nation’s salvation.
On the day of the planned impeachment vote, opposition members of parliament proceeded with their session even after Rajoelina issued the decree dissolving the National Assembly, the lower house. The president subsequently denounced their vote as unconstitutional, further deepening the political standoff.
While President Rajoelina’s exact location remains unconfirmed, Prime Minister Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo indicated in a message to The New York Times that Rajoelina had stated during his Monday address that he was currently on an international mission. This is a rapidly developing situation, and further updates are expected.