Madagascar’s political crisis deepens as President Rajoelina dissolves parliament
In an attempt to ease the unrest, Rajoelina sacked his entire government last month, but street clashes have continued, resulting in deadly confrontations with security forces.
Madagascar’s political crisis deepened on Tuesday as President Andry Rajoelina announced the dissolution of the National Assembly, a move that escalates tensions with youth-led protesters and sections of the military, amid reports that he has fled the country.
A decree shared on Facebook stated that the president had consulted with the leaders of both the assembly and the Senate, though its legal validity remains unclear.
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“This decree shall enter into force immediately upon its publication by radio and/or television broadcast,” the statement added.
Rajoelina made a defiant address to the nation from an undisclosed location on Monday, refusing to step down despite weeks of Gen Z-led demonstrations demanding his resignation and mounting defections within the army.
“The People must be heard again. Make way for the youth,” Rajoelina said in a social media post defending his decision as necessary to “restore order within our nation and strengthen democracy.”
Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko had announced plans to impeach Rajoelina for desertion of duty after reports emerged that he had left the country.
The president later confirmed he was sheltering in a “safe space” following alleged threats to his life, without disclosing his location.
The protests began on September 25 and intensified over the weekend when mutinous soldiers, including members of the elite CAPSAT unit, joined demonstrators calling for Rajoelina and other ministers to step down.
CAPSAT previously played a key role in the 2009 coup that initially brought Rajoelina to power.
In an attempt to ease the unrest, Rajoelina sacked his entire government last month, but street clashes have continued, resulting in deadly confrontations with security forces.
Reports also indicate that Rajoelina may have departed Madagascar aboard a French military plane over the weekend, although French authorities have not confirmed this.
With the dissolution of the assembly, Rajoelina appears to be pre-empting an opposition-led vote that could have forced him out of office, further deepening the uncertainty over Madagascar’s political future.
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