Lawmakers Wanted To Oust The Country’s President
Political turmoil is engulfing Madagascar as a majority of the country’s lawmakers voted to impeach their president.
According to media reports, 121 out of 125 lawmakers who were present for the parliamentary vote favored impeachment, more than the two-thirds majority required for an impeachment motion.
The Impeachment motion for President Hery Rajaonarimampianina was due to alleged constitutional violations. The country’s president allegedly involved church leaders in political undertakings. In addition, Mr. Rajaonarimampianina was also accused of being incapable of solving the country’s prevailing problems.
However, the country’s leader denied the allegations and instead questioned the result of the parliamentary votes. The president revealed that bitterness started to stir among the lawmakers when they were not granted new vehicles.
Tension between the parliament and the president has made headlines for months that threatens the country’s political stability.
Madagascar endured political instability and economic problems after a 2009 coup. Mr. Rajaonarimampianina took office after elections at the end of 2013.
US Calls On Parties To Resolve Political Impasse
In a press statement in Washington DC, Department Spokesperson John Kirby said the United States is closely following ongoing political developments in Madagascar.
The United States hopes that the current political impasse will be resolved the soonest possible.
“The country has made tremendous progress since its 2013 elections and return to democracy, and we hope that current developments do not jeopardize those gains.” – Mr. Kirby
The US called on all parties to resolve the current political impasse with respect for the rule of law and through national dialogue in order to maintain the political stability needed to grow the economy, attract investment, create employment and improve the lives of the Malagasy people.
In addition, the US encouraged all political leaders to work together to enable Madagascar to reach its full potential.
A Glimpse Of The Life Of The President Rajaonarimampianina
Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina was born on November 6, 1958 to a simple family in Madagascar.
In 1982, Mr. Rajaonarimampianina earned MBA at the “Etablissement d’Enseignement Superieur de Droit, d’Economie, de Gestion et de Sciences Sociales (EESDEGS) – Universite d’Ankatso Antananarivo in Canada.
In 1991, Mr. Rajaonarimampianina went back to Madagascar and worked as accountant.
In 2009, Rajaonarimampianina became Minister of Finance and Budget. The new president he has been CEO of Air Madagascar since 2011.
