# President Andry Rajoelina increased tensions in Madagascar by dissolving the National Assembly to block a vote to force him out of office as thousands gathered for new protests calling for his resignation. Civil servants and trade unionists joined the large crowd in the capital. Rajoelina made it clear in an address from hiding that he did not intend to quit. The protests reached a pivotal point at the weekend when mutinous soldiers and security forces joined the demonstrators calling for the president and other government ministers to step down.
Madagascar president Rajoelina dissolved National Assembly to block vote to remove him