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President Andry Rajoelina has dissolved Madagascar’s government following three days of mass protests over crippling power outages and water shortages that left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations.
The demonstrations — spearheaded by young people and inspired by recent "Gen Z" protest movements in Kenya, Nepal, and Bangladesh — represent the most significant challenge to Rajoelina’s leadership since his controversial re-election in December 2023.
“I Heard the Call, I Felt the Suffering”
In a nationally televised speech on state broadcaster Televiziona Malagasy (TVM), Rajoelina acknowledged public frustration and issued a rare apology.
“We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them,” he said. “I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems. I heard the call, I felt the suffering, I understood the impact on daily life.”
The president announced he would appoint a new cabinet aimed at restoring confidence and pledged measures to support businesses hit by looting during the unrest. He said the government must create space for dialogue with young people, who have emerged as the driving force behind the protests.
Rising Death Toll, Conflicting Reports
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said casualties included both protesters and bystanders who were killed when security forces opened fire, as well as victims of subsequent violence and looting carried out by gangs unaffiliated with demonstrators.
Madagascar’s foreign ministry rejected the UN’s figures, claiming they were “based on rumors or misinformation” and not verified by national authorities.
Protest Movement Gains Momentum
The protests began with university students in Antananarivo but quickly spread, drawing thousands into the streets in defiance of a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by authorities. Demonstrators waved placards, sang the national anthem, and attempted to march towards the city center before being dispersed by police firing teargas, footage from local channel 2424.MG showed.
Protesters have adopted symbols and tactics from movements abroad. Many carried a flag first used in Nepal, where mass protests forced the prime minister to resign earlier this month. Organisers also relied heavily on social media platforms, mirroring strategies used during Kenya’s youth-led protests in 2023 that forced the government to abandon proposed tax reforms.
A Fragile Presidency
Rajoelina, 51, is no stranger to political upheaval. He first seized power in a 2009 coup, resigned in 2014 under international pressure, but returned to win the 2018 presidential election. His December 2023 re-election to a third term was marred by allegations of fraud and irregularities from opposition challengers.
The latest crisis underscores the mounting discontent over poor governance and deteriorating living conditions in the Indian Ocean island nation, where chronic electricity shortages, water supply problems, and widespread poverty have long plagued citizens.
What Comes Next?
The dissolution of the government could mark a turning point in Madagascar’s volatile politics. Analysts say Rajoelina’s move is aimed at defusing public anger and buying time, but whether it will succeed in restoring calm remains uncertain.
For now, protesters remain defiant. “We are tired of living without light, without water, without jobs,” said one student demonstrator, who declined to give her name. “We want change, not just promises.”
