Antananarivo – Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina dissolved his government on Monday after days of violent protests led by young people demanding solutions to chronic electricity and water shortages and widespread poverty.
At least 22 people have died since demonstrations began last Thursday, according to the United Nations, with more than 100 others injured. The protesters, mostly youth, call themselves the Gen Z movement and marched through the capital dressed in black, chanting for Rajoelina to step down.
Rajoelina told the nation that Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and other ministers would remain in office temporarily while a new government is formed. He set a three-day period for proposals on a replacement prime minister. The president said he understood public frustration over service disruptions and economic hardship and offered an apology for government failures.
The unrest follows the dismissal of the energy minister on Friday and comes amid longstanding infrastructure challenges. Only 36 percent of Madagascar’s 30 million population has access to electricity, often with long daily outages, while three quarters of citizens live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.
Protesters have adopted a pirate flag from the Japanese anime series One Piece as their symbol, echoing youth-led movements in Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and France. Signs reading “We want to live, not survive” captured the mood on the streets.
Foreign Minister Rasata Rafaravavitafika rejected the UN’s casualty figures, saying the government strongly disputes the 22 reported deaths. No official national figures have been released.
Rajoelina has been in power since 2019, previously leading a transitional government after the 2009 coup, and won reelection in 2023 in a vote boycotted by most opposition candidates.
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