• Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina dissolved the national assembly amid widespread protests.
• The dissolution aims to pre-empt an opposition-led impeachment vote against him.
• Rajoelina has fled the country due to threats against his life, citing safety concerns.
• Youth-led demonstrations have intensified over issues such as power shortages and corruption.
• The president claims this move is necessary to restore order and democracy in Madagascar.

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina announced the dissolution of the national assembly on October 14, escalating the ongoing political crisis. This action comes as he faces mounting pressure from youth-led protests demanding his resignation over worsening conditions such as crippling power and water shortages. Following a standoff that forced him to flee the country, Rajoelina's decree is seen as an attempt to block an impending impeachment vote fueled by public discontent, according to Reuters and Africanews.

In a social media statement, Rajoelina claimed that he had consulted with leaders of the assembly and senate prior to the dissolution, asserting it was a necessary measure to "restore order within our nation and strengthen democracy." However, opposition leaders immediately denounced the move as illegal, citing a lack of proper procedure and consultation, particularly with the president of the national assembly, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

The political tensions escalated dramatically when Rajoelina fled Madagascar on a French military aircraft amid fears for his life due to reports of an assassination attempt. The current whereabouts of the president remain undisclosed, and he described his flight as a decision rooted in safety concerns, as protests turned violent with military factions supporting demonstrators demanding his resignation, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Protests against Rajoelina's administration intensified over the last few weeks, driven especially by younger generations protesting against corruption, power outages, and inadequate public services. The ongoing demonstrations have seen increasing defections among military personnel, posing a significant challenge to Rajoelina's rule and indicating deep-rooted frustrations within the island nation, as observed by Africanews and Al Jazeera.