In a last-minute change, the plenary assembly of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum, originally scheduled for Antananarivo from August 22-29, will not be held in Madagascar. Sources at the National Assembly confirm the event has been relocated to another country, though neither the new host nation nor the new dates have been disclosed. The reasons for the decision remain unclear.
The gathering was to bring together representatives from member parliaments of the regional organization and was to be chaired by Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, president of the National Assembly. Several deputies contacted said they were unaware of the program change.
Preparations for hosting the SADC Parliamentary Forum plenary had been cited by the lower chamber as the reason no extraordinary session has been held to date, despite a decree convening deputies for such a session being adopted by the Council of Ministers in early July. To date, neither the date nor the agenda for this extraordinary session is known.
The relocation comes amid turbulent times for the institution at Tsimbazaza. Since late July, when resolutions from youth consultations were published—including calls for dissolving the National Assembly—the lower chamber has faced mounting political pressure. Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko has become a target of protests initiated by segments of Gen Z.
A new parliamentary group, formed as a political platform by independent deputies and dissidents from the "Isika rehetra miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina" (Irmar) group, was created to participate in consultations and potential political dialogue while countering any intention to dissolve the lower chamber. Deputy Pety Rakotoniaina of Ikalamavony lashed out at critics calling for the Assembly's dissolution.
While deputies highlight parliamentary activities—particularly a parliamentary inquiry commission on Jirama problems—to counter criticism, no clear link has been established between the current pressures on the institution and the decision to relocate the SADC Parliamentary Forum plenary.