Madagascar’s political crisis deepened on Tuesday as lawmakers in the national assembly began voting on whether to impeach President Andry Rajoelina despite his earlier announcement dissolving the same legislative body.
Lawmakers appeared animated during the tense session, each briefly addressing the assembly before casting their votes into a ballot box. Loud cheers and whistles filled the chamber as the process unfolded.
If the impeachment vote secures enough support, the final decision will rest with the High Constitutional Court, which must validate the outcome.
Ahead of the session, 110 out of 163 members of parliament had signed a petition calling for Rajoelina’s removal from office, accusing him of abandoning his duties.
Rajoelina’s whereabouts remain unclear. On Monday evening, he addressed the nation live on Facebook from what he described as a “safe place,” following escalating protests in the capital led by a youth movement known as Gen Z Mada.
The unrest has gripped the Indian Ocean island for weeks, beginning with demonstrations over frequent power and water outages before evolving into calls for Rajoelina’s resignation.
A senior military official said security forces were working together to maintain order amid the growing instability.
On Sunday, Rajoelina claimed an “attempt to seize power” was underway, while France’s President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as “greatly worrying.” However, Macron declined to confirm reports that French forces had airlifted Rajoelina out of the country.
France has drawn criticism from protesters, with banners at recent rallies reading, “Rajoelina and Macron out.”
Rajoelina’s move to dissolve parliament came just as lawmakers were preparing to hold an extraordinary session reportedly aimed at declaring a “vacuum of power” in the country, according to AFP.
Opposition leader and former president Marc Ravalomanana, who was ousted by Rajoelina in a 2009 coup, urged calm and dialogue.
“There is a power vacuum,” Ravalomanana said. “The solution is not revenge or confusion, but a peaceful, inclusive, and responsible transition.”
