Following his dissolution of Madagascar’s National Assembly, President Andry Rajoelina has sparked both domestic and international debate about the constitutional and democratic implications of his decision. CNN reports that the move, though legally permissible under specific circumstances, has been widely interpreted as an attempt to consolidate executive power amid intensifying opposition criticism and protests demanding accountability.
The presidential decree cited persistent legislative obstruction and a need to “restore governmental functionality,” yet opposition figures countered that the parliament’s dissolution undermines democratic oversight. Civil society groups expressed concern over what they describe as a “creeping slide toward authoritarianism,” warning that the decision could set a troubling precedent for governance in the region.
The African Union and several Southern African Development Community (SADC) members issued statements urging restraint, dialogue, and a swift roadmap to new legislative elections. Analysts noted that the political turbulence could deter foreign investment and jeopardise ongoing international aid negotiations.
In the capital, Antananarivo, protests continued for a second week despite security crackdowns. Reports indicate that the government plans to announce an interim legislative framework and timeline for elections within weeks, though opposition leaders have vowed to challenge the legality of the move in court.
Observers warn that Madagascar’s fragile institutions face a decisive test — whether constitutional mechanisms can be used to peacefully resolve power struggles or whether the nation risks sliding into deeper instability.
