Madagascar’s Parliament Votes to Impeach President Rajoelina

According to recent reports, Madagascar’s parliament has decided to impeach President Andriy Rajoelina, who recently left the country due to safety concerns following a military coup.

After the impeachment vote, the leader of Madagascar’s elite military unit, known as CAPSAT, announced plans to form a governing council comprising military, police, and gendarmerie officers. They aim to appoint a prime minister to establish a civilian government swiftly.

Colonel Michael Landrianilina stated, “We are in power.” He also mentioned that the constitution and the High Constitutional Court’s powers had been suspended. Although he didn’t go into specifics, he indicated that a referendum might take place within a couple of years.

In response, the president’s office condemned the military’s announcement, calling it an “unlawful declaration” and a “serious violation of the rule of law.” They emphasized that “the Republic of Madagascar cannot be held hostage by force. The country will continue to stand.”

Rajoelina, in an attempt to evade impeachment, had issued a decree to dissolve the lower house of parliament, but lawmakers apparently ignored it.

It’s worth noting that CAPSAT previously rebelled against the national government in 2009 and played a crucial role in bringing Rajoelina to power back then.