Madagascar’s Embattled President Is Impeached

In a dramatic turn of events, Madagascar’s parliament has voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, marking a significant escalation in the country’s ongoing political crisis. The impeachment vote comes amid widespread protests and violent demonstrations against Rajoelina’s government, which have been simmering for weeks.

Despite the mounting pressure, President Rajoelina has defiantly vowed to remain in office, dismissing the impeachment move as a “plot” to oust him from power. In a televised address to the nation, Rajoelina claimed that the opposition’s efforts to remove him were “unconstitutional” and promised to continue leading the country.

The impeachment vote was passed by a majority of lawmakers in the National Assembly, with 121 out of 151 deputies supporting the motion. The opposition had accused Rajoelina of abuse of power, corruption, and violating the country’s constitution. The president’s supporters, however, argue that the impeachment process is a coup attempt and that Rajoelina remains the legitimate leader of the island nation.

The political turmoil in Madagascar has been brewing for months, with protesters taking to the streets to demand Rajoelina’s resignation over allegations of corruption and authoritarianism. The situation escalated on Tuesday, as police clashed with demonstrators in the capital city of Antananarivo, resulting in several injuries and arrests.

The international community has been closely watching the developments in Madagascar, with the African Union and other regional organizations calling for calm and urging a peaceful resolution to the crisis. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether President Rajoelina will step down or continue to cling to power, and what the ultimate consequences will be for the country’s stability and future.