"Madagascar's embattled President Andry Rajoelina has issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly as he bids to avert a slide from power. Rajoelina, who has fled the country, issued the decree on social media on Tuesday, ahead of a planned impeachment vote. However, with parts of the military and the police offering support to mass protests calling for his resignation, his efforts to cling to power threaten to send the island nation's political crisis spiralling into chaos."
"A military source told the Reuters news agency that Rajoelina left the country on Sunday on board a French army aircraft, although President Emmanuel Macron refused to confirm that his government had played a role. Rajoelina's departure came after army units defected on Saturday, with the president condemning the move as an attempt to seize power illegally and by force."
Andry Rajoelina issued a decree dissolving Madagascar's National Assembly and published the move on social media while his whereabouts remained unknown. The decree was stated to take effect immediately upon radio or television publication. Rajoelina defended the dissolution as necessary to restore order and strengthen democracy. Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko said the decree was not legally valid because National Assembly president Justin Tokely was not consulted. Rajoelina said he had left the country fearing for his life and was sheltering in a safe space. Army units defected, and the elite CAPSAT unit declared control of the military, deepening the political crisis.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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