Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina has signed a decree dissolving the National Assembly, following a late-night address in which he announced that he had left the country for his own safety. The move came just a day after massive demonstrations demanding his resignation.
The decree, dated October 14, 2025, was issued in line with Article 60 of the Constitution. It takes immediate effect upon broadcast via radio or television, without waiting for publication in the Official Journal. According to the document, the president informed the Prime Minister and consulted the heads of the National Assembly and Senate before making the decision. The dissolution clears the way for new legislative elections, although no timeline has been set.
In his address—originally scheduled for 7 p.m. but delayed by more than two hours—President Rajoelina called for national dialogue and respect for the Constitution. He firmly rejected calls to step down, insisting he remains in charge. He said he had travelled abroad for security reasons, claiming a plot had been prepared to target him. According to RFI, France exfiltrated him to Réunion Island as part of an agreement with President Emmanuel Macron.
Rajoelina dismissed rumours of a flight from the country, declaring he would “never abandon Madagascar.” He warned that any attempt to resolve the crisis outside the constitutional framework would endanger development projects and international funding.
Earlier the same day, a group of soldiers tried to seize control of public media—a move the presidency described as “a serious act undermining the constitutional order.” The army chief of staff, General Demosthenes Pikulas, intervened to restore order. Colonel Mikaël Randrianirina of Capsat denied any coup attempt, saying the army had merely “responded to the call of the Malagasy people.”
These developments follow a major popular mobilization at 13th of May Square in Antananarivo, where thousands of citizens—joined by some members of the armed forces—demanded the president’s departure and institutional reforms. The rally, organized by citizen movements including Gen Z Madagascar, featured opposition figures such as former President Marc Ravalomanana and former Senate President Rivo Rakotovao.
President Rajoelina closed his speech by urging political actors and civil society to “preserve national unity and peace,” while reaffirming his openness to dialogue.
