Madagascar’s political turmoil escalated dramatically on Tuesday as President Andry Rajoelina, currently in an undisclosed location outside the capital, issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly.
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The move, which the opposition has immediately branded as illegal, is seen as a pre-emptive strike to block an opposition-led impeachment vote intended to force the beleaguered leader from office.
Rajoelina has faced over two weeks of deadly street clashes, led largely by young demonstrators furious with the ruling elite, forcing the 51-year-old leader into hiding.
The decree to dissolve the assembly “shall enter into force immediately upon its publication by radio and/or television broadcast”, the presidency said in a social media statement.
Rajoelina, who has defied mounting calls to resign, defended the move in a separate social media post as necessary to “restore order within our nation and strengthen democracy”.
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“The People must be heard again. Make way for the youth,” he said in the post.
