Madagascar's lawmakers have voted to impeach the president, in a move that could throw off course the country's efforts to stabilize after years of conflict.

The move to impeach Hery Rajaonarimampianina was approved by 121 of the 125 lawmakers who voted Wednesday. The decision must now be ratified by the constitutional court in order to move forward.

President Rajaonarimampianina took power in January 2014 after the country's first set of democratic elections since 2006. It was hoped his term in office would signal an end to years of political turmoil, after predecessor Marc Ravalomanana was ousted in a coup in 2009.

But the president's critics said he has failed to carry out his mandate and must be removed.

The United States has in the past expressed its support for the president. Last year, the State Department removed all restrictions on direct assistance to Madagascar because, it said, of the successful elections and installation of the new government.