Madagascar’s parliament Votes to impeach President
Madagascar’s embattled President Andry Rajoelina has issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly as part of an effort to stave off a looming impeachment and political upheaval. The move comes amid mounting protests, military defections and a deepening crisis that has plunged the island nation into uncertainty.
Rajoelina, who has reportedly left the country, announced the decree via social media on Tuesday just ahead of a planned impeachment vote by parliament. The decree states it “shall enter into force immediately upon its publication by radio and/or television broadcast,” according to a statement from the presidency posted on Facebook.
Defending his actions, Rajoelina claimed the move was necessary to “restore order within our nation and strengthen democracy,” despite his current whereabouts being unknown. In a separate social media post, he said he had left the country out of fears for his safety and was sheltering in a “safe space.”
Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who had been preparing to lead a vote to impeach Rajoelina on Tuesday, dismissed the decree as “not legally valid,” arguing that the president of the National Assembly, Justin Tokely, was not consulted over the dissolution.
Rajoelina, a former mayor of Antananarivo has been at the center of Madagascar’s political turmoil since he first rose to power following a coup in 2009. In recent days, his departure was confirmed by a military source, who told journalists that Rajoelina left the country on Sunday aboard a French army aircraft. French President Emmanuel Macron declined to confirm France’s involvement.
The crisis erupted after army units defected on Saturday, with Rajoelina condemning the move as “an attempt to seize power illegally and by force.” Subsequently, the military’s elite CAPSAT unit, which played a key role in the 2009 coup, announced it had taken control of the country’s military. Reports also indicated that police and gendarmerie forces had joined the protests and support for the antigovernment demonstrations.
Protests began on September 25 led by youth groups known as Gen Z Madagascar over water and power outages but rapidly expanded to include broader grievances such as cost of living, poverty, and alleged government corruption. The unrest has resulted in at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries, according to the United Nations, though the government disputes these figures.
The protests have exposed widespread frustration in one of the world’s poorest nations, where only a third of the population has access to electricity, and blackouts often exceed eight hours daily. The movement has drawn inspiration from uprisings across Africa and South Asia that have challenged governments and led to regime changes.
Despite government efforts for dialogue, Gen Z Madagascar has refused to engage, emphasizing their calls for Rajoelina’s resignation. Meanwhile, Madagascar’s parliament convened to vote on whether to impeach the president with 110 out of 163 MPs having signed a letter supporting the move.
In response, Rajoelina’s order to dissolve the National Assembly has complicated the proceedings. Lawmakers are currently voting on whether to proceed with impeachment and if a majority vote in favor, the High Constitutional Court will have the final say.
The situation has drawn international concern. French President Emmanuel Macron described Madagascar’s crisis as “greatly worrying” but declined to comment on reports that France’s military airlifted Rajoelina out of the country. Anti-France sentiments have been visible in protests with banners calling for both Rajoelina and Macron to leave.
Opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana, a former president ousted by Rajoelina in 2009, condemned the dissolution, stating, “There is a power vacuum. The solution is not revenge, neither confusion but a peaceful, inclusive and responsible transition.”
