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Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has dissolved the country’s national assembly with immediate effect, his office announced in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
The move escalates a standoff between Rajoelina, youth-led protesters, and the military — the same forces that reportedly compelled him to flee the country days earlier. It also pre-empts a planned opposition-led impeachment vote, effectively blocking any attempt to remove him from office amid the nation’s deepening political turmoil.
For more than two weeks, the Gen Z Mada movement has led mass demonstrations across the Indian Ocean island, initially sparked by anger over power and water shortages but now demanding Rajoelina’s resignation.
“All the population wants is his resignation, but he refuses and wants to keep working. Nothing he said matters,” said student Santatriniaina Ramarojaona. Another protester, Marie-Joëlle Ravelonandrasana, told Africanews: “We want him to step down, but he keeps pretending there are still people who want him to stay.”
Rajoelina’s whereabouts remain unclear after he reportedly fled Madagascar aboard a French military aircraft on Sunday. In a video message posted online the next day, he said he had relocated to a “safe place” out of fear for his life.
In announcing the dissolution, Rajoelina claimed to have consulted the leaders of both the national assembly and the senate, though it remains uncertain whether the decision is legally valid.
Despite widespread protests, political pressure, and questions over the legality of his actions, the president has ruled out resigning, insisting he intends to remain in power.
