In Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina has announced the dissolution of the national parliament following massive army-backed protests that forced him to flee the presidential palace. Reports say thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of the capital, Antananarivo, accusing the government of corruption, dishonesty, and failure to address the deepening economic crisis and rising cost of living.
Initially, the army remained neutral, but later joined the protesters, expressing support for the people’s demand for political change. The unrest poses a serious threat to President Rajoelina’s leadership, who is serving his third term amid accusations of election manipulation and abuse of power. After the violent demonstrations, the president fled to another part of the country, where he released a special statement announcing the dissolution of parliament to “restore peace and open a new political chapter.”
Political analysts view this move as an attempt to protect himself from a potential coup or to rebuild his political influence through a new transition process. Meanwhile, the army has imposed a state of emergency in several regions, as citizens await the formation of either a new government or a transitional authority to lead Madagascar out of its ongoing political and economic turmoil.