Wayne Lumbasi
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has dissolved his government following days of violent youth-led demonstrations demanding better access to basic services and greater accountability.
The protests, which erupted on September 25, were organized largely by Gen Z activists frustrated by chronic shortages of water and electricity. Inspired by movements in Kenya and Nepal, the demonstrations quickly spread across major cities, with thousands of young people marching in defiance of police orders and nightly curfews.
Clashes with security forces turned deadly. According to the United Nations, at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured after police and soldiers allegedly used excessive force. The Malagasy government has rejected these figures, calling them “rumours and misinformation,” a stance that has further inflamed tensions.
In a televised address, Rajoelina admitted to “failures” in governance and apologized to the public, while announcing the dismissal of his cabinet. He invited political parties to submit proposals for a new prime minister within three days. Outgoing ministers will continue in an interim role until a new government is appointed.
Despite the announcement, protests continued in the capital Antananarivo, where crowds of young demonstrators dressed in black carried placards demanding not just a new government but the president’s resignation. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the rallies.
The crisis has placed Rajoelina, who first rose to power during a political upheaval in 2009, under mounting pressure. His attempt to restructure the government may buy him time, but it remains unclear whether it will satisfy a generation increasingly unwilling to tolerate broken promises and worsening living conditions.
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