Madagascar court rejects bid to oust President

Madagascar`s constitutional court on Saturday threw out an attempt by parliament to oust President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, further threatening the Indian Ocean island`s fragile stability.

Parliament had voted overwhelmingly in late May to impeach Rajaonarimampianina for alleged constitutional violations and general incompetence.

But the court stated that the accusations of treason, violating the constitution and disregarding presidential duties were unfounded and the impeachment was therefore inadmissible.

"The application must be rejected as unfounded," the court said in a statement.

The opposition, which controls the parliament, described the ruling as "ridiculous".

In his first reaction, Rajaonarimampianina said in a televised address: "I ask everyone to respect the state of law.

"I will not tolerate another attack on the state of law.

"Everyone has been able to draw their own lessons from the situation that has just come to an end.

"I have taken on board many things to fix what needs to be fixed and to find solutions to match the aspirations of the people who have placed their confidence in me," Rajaonarimampianina said.

The beleaguered president had challenged the legality of the lawmakers` motion.

He argued that many of those said to have voted were not in parliament at the time.

Rajaonarimampianina, a trained accountant, came to power after 2013 elections vowing to end the turmoil that followed a coup in 2009.

His critics say he has failed to deliver on his economic programme in the desperately poor nation and accuse him of stalling on the establishment of a high court and on promised reforms.

The spokesman for the president`s party, Rivo Rakotovao, said the next step "now depends on the behaviour of the lawmakers".

He said parliament could be dissolved if lawmakers continue to block the work of the government.

The opposition said the only solution was an election.

"The solution to Madagascar`s problems now is to ask the people`s opinion in a presidential election," said Augustin Andriamananoro, vice-president of the Mapar party.

The president is being attacked on two fronts, by both the island`s former strongman Andry Rajoelina and another former president, Marc Ravalomanana.

Both were forced to withdraw from the 2013 presidential election won by Rajaonarimampianina.

The current political crisis, if not resolved quickly, threatens to derail the island`s fragile peace and economic development.

Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries in the world and is heavily dependent on foreign aid that was virtually cut off following the coup six years ago.

The World Bank on Friday cut the island`s growth forecast for 2015 to 3.5 percent from 4.0 percent and said the political instability was a factor in its decision.

"Political stability is a contributing factor to development and that is what is worrying us for the future," said Coralie Gevers, the World Bank`s representative in Madagascar.