By Abiola Olawale
The political crisis rocking Madagascar has reached a boiling point as the country’s lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to impeach President Andry Rajoelina.
The lawmakers on Tuesday charged Rajoelina with alleged desertion of duty and breach of constitutional obligations.
During the plenary, the lawmakers passed the resolution to impeach Rajoelina. The resolution received 130 votes in favour — well above the two-thirds constitutional threshold required in the 163-member chamber.
The development came just hours after Rajoelina issued a decree dissolving the assembly.
The impeachment resolution now heads to the High Constitutional Court for validation.
The New Diplomat reports that Rajoelina, a former DJ who rose to power through a 2009 coup and has served three terms, has swiftly condemned the proceedings as “unconstitutional” and “null and void” in a statement posted on Facebook, vowing to fight on from an undisclosed “safe place.”
Recall that the political crisis began after a Gez Z protest hit several parts of Madagascar. The youths expressed their frustration over chronic power and water shortages.
However, the protest has since snowballed into a broader indictment of Rajoelina’s leadership.
