Madagascar President dissolves government amid deadly youth protests over water and power cuts

Madagascar

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina announced on Monday that he is dissolving the government following youth-led protests over water shortages and power cuts, which the United Nations reports have killed at least 22 people and injured over 100.

The protests, inspired by the so-called "Gen Z" demonstrations in Kenya and Nepal, mark the largest unrest the Indian Ocean island has seen in years and the most serious challenge to Rajoelina since his re-election in 2023.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Madagascar, including the capital Antananarivo, where police used tear gas to disperse crowds. Two days of unrest last week erupted in clashes with security forces, as young demonstrators organised via social media through the Gen Z movement demanded solutions to frequent water and electricity outages.

Addressing the nation in a televised speech, Rajoelina said, "We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them."

The protest movement has demanded the resignation of the government and local authorities, targeting officials close to the president, including Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and businessman Mamy Ravatomanga. Many demonstrators marched wearing black, chanting for Rajoelina’s resignation, and holding signs reading, "We want to live, not survive." The movement has adopted the pirate flag from the anime One Piece as a symbol, which has been used in youth-led protests in Indonesia and Nepal.

Opposition figures were detained during the protests, prompting calls for their release. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned Madagascar’s "violent response" and urged authorities to "ensure respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly."

Turk noted that the casualties included both protesters and bystanders killed by security forces, along with others killed during widespread violence and looting by criminal gangs not associated with the protests. He called on security forces to "desist from the use of unnecessary and disproportionate force and to immediately release all arbitrarily detained protesters."

Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest countries, has a long history of uprisings since gaining independence in 1960, including the 2009 protests that forced former president Marc Ravalomanana from power.