Madagascar president dissolves government after youth-led deadly protests

Madagascar president dissolves government after youth-led deadly protests

In response to widespread demonstrations over power and water shortages that led to at least 22 deaths and more than 100 injuries, Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, dissolved his country.

Young people largely took part in the protests, which started last week and continued into Monday. They were angry with the deteriorating living conditions in Antananarivo’s capital.

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According to experts, they represent the island nation’s largest wave of unrest in years and the most serious challenge to Rajoelina’s authority since his re-election in 2023.

According to footage filmed by the local channel 2424, crowds attempted to march into the city center at the main university in Antananarivo on Monday while carrying placards and singing the national anthem. MG.

As part of a dusk-to-dawn curfew that has been in place since last week, police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Rubber bullets have also been used by security forces to quell the unrest.

In the capital of 1.4 million people, looting has been reported at banks, appliance stores, and supermarkets. In recent days, politicians’ homes have also been attacked.

On September 29, 2025, protesters ran as Malagasy riot police used tear gas near the University of Antananarivo to protest frequent power outages and water shortages.

Dialog is a promise made by the president.

Rajoelina apologized for the shortcomings of his government in a televised address on Monday, acknowledging the public outcry. On the state broadcaster Televiziona Malagasy (TVM), he said, “We apologise and acknowledge that government employees have not completed the tasks that have been assigned to them.”

The president said he wanted to open a channel of communication with young people and promised to take steps to help businesses that lost money as a result of the unrest. “I get over my anger, my sadness, and the difficulties that power outages and water supply issues cause. He continued, “I recognized the call, I felt the suffering, and I understood the effect on daily life.”

Outraged over years of economic hardship, the demonstrations were organized. One of the poorest nations in the area is Madagascar, an island nation off the coast of Africa.

According to the World Bank, about 75% of its 30 million people in 2022 were living below the poverty line.

Many protesters accuse Rajoelina’s government of failing to stabilize the situation, especially given how frequently power outages and water shortages have hampered daily life.

accidents and disputes involving figures

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, there were also victims of looting and violence committed by gangs unconnected to the demonstrations, as well as protesters and bystanders who had been killed by security forces.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar disputed those claims, insisting that they were merely based on “rumors or misinformation” rather than official data.

According to the organizers, Kenya, Nepal, and Morocco have been the inspiration for youth-led movements. A flag was first waved in Nepal earlier this month as a result of protests that forced the nation’s prime minister to step down.

Source: Aljazeera

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