Madagascar: Parliament votes to impeach President Hery Rajaonarimampianina

Madagascar’s parliament has voted to impeach President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, threatening to derail rebuilding efforts after years of crisis.

The vote by 121 of 151 members of parliament late on Tuesday has to be ratified by a court.

Rajaonarimampianina was elected at the end of 2013.

Rajaonarimampianina’s peaceful election victory in late 2013, the first vote since a 2009 military coup, was seen as chance to stabilize the mineral-rich country after years of post-coup isolation.

Critics say he has dragged the church into politics when half the nation are not Christians and failed to deliver on his promises.

Mixing religion and politics is a sensitive issue in the island state. Former President Marc Ravalomanana, ousted in 2009, was also accused of using churches to drum up support when in power.

Source: Reuters