The dismissal of the president of the Senate of Madagascar, Herimanana Razafimahefa, has sparked strong political tensions in the country. During a special session of the Senate on October 12, 2023, senators voted unanimously to impeach him, calling into question his mental health and ability to assume the role of interim head of state.
The events began a few days earlier, when Razafimahefa revealed in an interview on France 24 that he had received death threats from advisors to outgoing President Andry Rajoelina. Faced with these threats, he initially declared that he could not take over as interim head of the country. However, he later backed down and eventually agreed to take responsibility for the role.
This about-face was considered a sign of “mental deficiency” by the senators, who urgently convened an extraordinary session to decide on his dismissal. The session was marked by heated exchanges and a tense atmosphere, with Razafimahefa accusing the senators of defamation and threatening to file complaints against them.
Ultimately, Razafimahefa left the meeting room in protest against the extraordinary session, calling it “illegal.” According to him, the texts stipulate that a serious reason is required to convene such a session and that the Senate should only meet if the National Assembly is also convened.
The senators, however, maintained their position, asserting that there had never been any death threats against Razafimahefa or her family. They believe that such “abnormal” and “inconsistent” statements call into question his ability to lead the country in the interim.
This dismissal opened a legal debate on the validity of the senators’ approach. Razafimahefa plans to prove his mental health through medical certificates and plans to take the matter to the High Constitutional Court to challenge the legality of the dismissal.
This political crisis in Madagascar highlights the growing tensions between the country’s different political actors. The situation could have repercussions on the political and economic stability of Madagascar, as well as on the confidence of foreign investors.
It is therefore essential to closely monitor the development of this case and the decisions taken by the various legal authorities to resolve this political crisis. Political stability is essential to ensure sustainable development and the well-being of the Malagasy population.