ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Lawmakers in Madagascar have voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, plunging the island nation into political turmoil as a powerful military unit announced it was taking control of the government.
In a session on Monday, 130 members of Madagascar’s National Assembly voted in favour of Rajoelina’s impeachment, with only one abstention. The High Constitutional Court is now expected to validate or nullify the decision.
Rajoelina, 51, swiftly denounced the move as unconstitutional, saying the parliamentary session was held illegally after he had already dissolved the assembly.
In a statement posted on Facebook, he declared that “whatever the outcome of the meeting will be deemed null and void.”
Despite his objections, the political crisis deepened after elite soldiers from the Special Intervention Force (CAPSAT) said they had taken power.
The Reuters news agency cited senior officers announcing that the military was assuming control of state affairs, while AFP quoted an army colonel confirming that the army “has taken charge.”
Even members of Rajoelina’s own political party, IRMAR, joined the vote to oust him — a development seen as a major blow to the embattled president.
The turmoil follows weeks of mounting protests that began on September 25 over persistent water and power shortages and have since evolved into nationwide demonstrations against corruption, unemployment, and rising living costs.
Over the weekend, soldiers from CAPSAT left their barracks to join protesters, escalating tensions and signalling a possible fracture within the military.
In a recent live broadcast, Rajoelina claimed that a group of military officers and politicians had plotted to assassinate him, forcing him to go into hiding.
However, CAPSAT commander Colonel Randrianirina Michael dismissed the accusation as “baseless,” saying the army had “never had any intention to harm even a single hair on his head.”
Rajoelina has not been seen in public for over a week. French media outlets have reported, though unconfirmed, that the French military may have airlifted him out of Madagascar.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday described the situation as “greatly worrying” but declined to comment on the reports of French involvement.
Protesters in Antananarivo have increasingly turned their anger toward France, a former colonial power, with banners reading “Rajoelina and Macron out” appearing in rallies.
The crisis marks one of the most serious challenges to Rajoelina’s rule since he first took power in 2009 after a coup. His latest term, which began in 2023, has been marred by economic stagnation and growing public anger.
