Madagascar Prime Minister, Olivier Resigns Amid Political Crisis

Madagascar-PM-Resigns

Madagascar’s Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana, has stepped down due to an extended political crisis in the country, Naija news understands.

Mr. Solonandrasana while announcing  his resignation earlier today, believe that this is the  first step towards the naming of a “consensus” premier to resolve a political crisis sparked by controversial electoral reforms.

“I will tender my resignation to the president today. As a statesman, I cannot be an obstacle to the life of the nation,” Solonandrasana told a press briefing. “I resign willingly and with happiness. I have no regrets and I can leave with my head held high.” “I will leave this magnificent palace, (but) I tell you this is not ‘goodbye’,” he added without giving details of his future plans.

His resignation will enable President Hery Rajaonarimampianina to choose a new prime minister in agreement with the opposition, Mahafaly told journalists in the capital, Antananarivo.

Mahafaly’s resignation came four days after Defence Minister Beni Xavier Rasolofonirina threatened that the military would step in if the government would not follow a constitutional court order to find a consensus candidate for the post of a prime minister.

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The opposition has been demanding the resignation of Mahafaly for several weeks, sometimes through violent protests. The constitutional court has given the president until June 12 to form a government of national unity.

Once the president appoints a new prime minister, the prime minister will form a new government within seven days.