Crowds in Madagascar have taken to the streets in celebration as the nation’s parliament prepares to vote on the possible removal of President Andry Rajoelina.
In videos shared by Reuters and seen by SaharaReporters, demonstrators could be seen dancing, waving placards, and chanting in anticipation of what they described as “a new dawn” for the country.
According to the BBC, members of parliament are currently deliberating on the president’s future, with each legislator given the opportunity to speak briefly before casting their vote into a ballot box. If a majority supports the motion, the result will then be forwarded to the High Constitutional Court for validation.
Before the vote, at least 110 of Madagascar’s 163 MPs had reportedly signed a letter supporting impeachment proceedings against Rajoelina.
Earlier on Tuesday, Reuters reported that the embattled leader announced the dissolution of the lower house of parliament—a move that has further deepened tensions with protesters and sections of the military, forcing him to flee the island.
A presidential decree posted on Facebook claimed Rajoelina had consulted leaders of the National Assembly and Senate before dissolving parliament. However, the legality of that action has been widely questioned.
On Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that the presidency had accused unnamed actors of attempting an “illegal and forcible seizure of power,” though no evidence was presented. The statement came a day after members of the military joined the youth-led protest movement that began on September 25.
Al Jazeera earlier reported that Rajoelina accused dissident soldiers of plotting a coup after troops from the elite CAPSAT unit—instrumental in his own 2009 rise to power—defected to join demonstrators calling for his resignation.
The ongoing unrest marks the most significant challenge to Rajoelina’s leadership since his re-election in 2023.
