Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has announced the dissolution of his government following days of nationwide protests led largely by young demonstrators demanding reliable access to water and electricity.
In a televised address on Monday, Rajoelina acknowledged public anger and apologised for government shortcomings. “We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them,” he said, confirming that the prime minister and cabinet had been dismissed. Applications for a new premier will be accepted over the next three days before a fresh administration is appointed.
The so-called “Gen-Z protests,” which erupted in the capital Antananarivo last week before spreading to at least eight other cities, have drawn thousands of young people under the slogan: “We want to live, not survive.”
According to the UN, at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured, with reports of live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas being used by security forces. UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the “unnecessary and disproportionate force,” urging the immediate release of arbitrarily detained protesters.
Madagascar’s foreign ministry, however, rejected the UN’s figures, claiming the data was “based on rumours or misinformation.”
Authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Antananarivo after violence and looting broke out, with some reports alleging that homes of legislators were attacked. Protesters, however, accused “paid goons” of instigating the violence to discredit their movement.
Rajoelina, who last week dismissed the energy minister over the crisis, told citizens he wanted to “hold talks with young people” to address their grievances. “I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems,” he said.
The unrest marks the most serious challenge to Rajoelina since his re-election in 2023. Madagascar, which has a turbulent political history, last witnessed mass unrest in 2009 when protests forced former president Marc Ravalomanana to resign, paving the way for Rajoelina’s rise to power.
