Antananarivo — Madagascar has entered a new phase of political turmoil after President Andry Rajoelina, whose whereabouts remain unknown, dissolved the National Assembly on Tuesday in a move that intensifies the crisis gripping the Indian Ocean nation.
Rajoelina’s decree, announced via the presidency’s official Facebook page, came just as lawmakers were meeting to debate potential impeachment proceedings against him. By dissolving the lower house of parliament, the president has effectively halted any attempt to formally remove him from office.
The dramatic escalation follows a weekend rebellion in which an elite military unit, the CAPSAT, broke ranks and joined youth-led protests demanding Rajoelina’s resignation. The president, in a speech broadcast on social media Monday night, admitted he had fled to a “safe place” out of fear for his life, though he did not disclose his location.
Madagascar, long accustomed to political instability and military interventions, now faces its most severe crisis since 2009, when Rajoelina first rose to power after leading a coup. His current mandate, won in 2023 elections boycotted by opposition parties, has been undermined by mounting discontent over widespread poverty, corruption allegations, and chronic water and electricity shortages.
The protests, driven largely by young “Gen Z” demonstrators, gained momentum over the past month and reached a turning point on Saturday when CAPSAT forces defected. The unit has since claimed control of the country’s armed forces, announcing new leadership for both the military and gendarmerie.
In his latest remarks, Rajoelina condemned what he described as “an attempt to seize power illegally and by force” while calling for dialogue to preserve the constitution and avoid total collapse. But protesters, inspired by youth uprisings that toppled governments in Nepal and Sri Lanka, insist that only his departure can resolve the crisis.
With the president in hiding, parliament dissolved, and military units splintered, Madagascar faces an uncertain and volatile future as both domestic and international observers watch closely for the next move in a rapidly evolving power struggle.