Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina dissolved the lower house of parliament on Tuesday, deepening the political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation after a military rebellion led him to flee the country and go into hiding.
Rajoelina issued a decree for the National Assembly to be dissolved immediately, according to a statement posted on the Madagascar presidency’s Facebook page.
Rajoelina’s whereabouts are unknown after an elite military unit joined youth-led anti-government protests over the weekend and called for him to step down in an apparent coup attempt.
The president said in a speech broadcast on social media on Monday night that he left the country for a “safe place” in fear for his life. He didn’t say where he was.
His move to dissolve the National Assembly came while lawmakers were meeting to discuss possible impeachment proceedings to remove Rajoelina as president. By dissolving the National Assembly, Rajoelina effectively blocked any
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