By Eniola Amadu
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has dissolved his government following several days of youth-led demonstrations over persistent electricity and water shortages, which have paralysed parts of the Indian Ocean island nation.
In a televised national address, Rajoelina apologised for his administration’s failings and confirmed that he had “terminated the functions of the prime minister and the government.”
He added that interim ministers would oversee affairs until a new cabinet is formed, with applications for the post of prime minister to be received within three days.
“I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems,” the president said, pledging dialogue with the younger generation driving the protests.
The demonstrations, branded the “Gen Z protests,” began in the capital Antananarivo last Thursday but quickly spread to at least eight cities.
Thousands of mainly young people marched under the slogan, “We want to live, not survive.”
The rallies have been met with heavy security crackdowns. According to the UN Human Rights Office, at least 22 people have been killed and 100 others injured.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the response, saying he was “shocked” by the use of live bullets, beatings, arrests, and what he described as “unnecessary and disproportionate force.”
“I urge the security forces to desist from such actions and to immediately release all arbitrarily detained protesters,” Türk said in a statement on Monday.
However, Madagascar’s foreign ministry rejected the UN’s casualty figures, describing them as “based on rumours or misinformation.”
Authorities in Antananarivo have since imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew, citing violence and looting.
Witnesses reported police firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Reports also alleged that the homes of at least two legislators were attacked during the unrest, though organisers of the Gen Z movement claim “paid goons” carried out the violence to discredit their cause.
Last week, Rajoelina had dismissed the energy minister over failure to address the worsening power crisis, but protesters insisted that the president and his entire cabinet must also resign.
The crisis is the most significant challenge to Rajoelina’s leadership since his third re-election in 2023.
Madagascar, which has a long history of political unrest, witnessed mass protests in 2009 that forced then-president Marc Ravalomanana from power, paving the way for Rajoelina’s rise.
Despite the mounting pressure, the president reiterated his willingness to hold talks with young demonstrators.
“We don’t want trouble, we just want our rights,” read a banner carried by protesters last week in Antananarivo.
