Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina has dissolved the lower house of parliament, intensifying the political turmoil in the Indian Ocean nation following a military rebellion. Rajoelina is currently in an unknown location after fleeing the country amid anti-government protests and what appears to be a coup attempt.
According to a decree posted on the Madagascar presidency’s Facebook page, the National Assembly has been dissolved immediately, effectively blocking any impeachment proceedings against him.
The crisis escalated after soldiers from the elite CAPSAT military unit joined youth-led protests, demanding Rajoelina and government ministers step down. The president, speaking via social media from a secret location, described the events as “an attempt to seize power illegally and by force” and called for dialogue to resolve the situation while stressing adherence to the constitution.
This marks Madagascar’s worst political crisis since 2009, when Rajoelina first came to power following a military-backed transitional government. The current protests, led largely by Gen Z activists, are fueled by chronic water and electricity outages, poverty, and allegations of corruption and embezzlement within the government. Protesters have drawn inspiration from similar youth-led movements in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Rajoelina was first elected president in 2018 and reelected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by opposition parties. His future remains uncertain as Madagascar navigates this escalating political turmoil.
