Youth-led protests over power and water shortages force a major political shake-up amid rising casualties
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has announced the dissolution of his government after days of nationwide demonstrations driven largely by young people demanding better living conditions. The protests, branded as the “Gen Z movement,” erupted last week and have rapidly spread across at least eight cities, including the capital, Antananarivo
The rallies, which began on Thursday under the slogan “We want to live, not survive,” were triggered by widespread frustration over chronic power outages and water shortages. They have since escalated into the most serious political crisis of Rajoelina’s presidency, with calls for his resignation and that of his cabinet.
According to the United Nations, security forces’ response to the protests has been violent, with at least 22 people killed and more than 100 injured. UN human rights chief Volker Türk said he was “shocked” by what he described as the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force, including beatings, arbitrary arrests, and the firing of both rubber bullets and live ammunition. “I urge the security forces to desist from the use of unnecessary and disproportionate force and to immediately release all arbitrarily detained protesters,” Türk said in a statement.
Madagascar’s foreign ministry, however, rejected the UN’s figures, insisting that the data was based on rumours and misinformation. Reports also suggest that not all of the casualties were protesters; some deaths were linked to widespread looting and violence that followed the demonstrations, with gangs and opportunists allegedly taking advantage of the unrest.
In a nationally televised address on Monday, Rajoelina apologised for the failures of his government and acknowledged the anger felt by citizens. “We understand the sadness and difficulties caused by the power cuts and water supply problems,” he said. The president confirmed that he had “terminated the functions of the prime minister and the government,” adding that applications for a new premier would be accepted within the next three days before a new cabinet is formed.
The unrest followed the recent dismissal of Madagascar’s energy minister, whom Rajoelina accused of failing to address the worsening electricity crisis. Yet the president’s move was not enough to calm demonstrators, who continued to demand more sweeping political accountability. Many protesters carried banners stressing peaceful intentions, with one in Antananarivo reading: “We don’t want trouble, we just want our rights.”
Despite those appeals, violence has flared on the margins of the protests. Homes of at least two legislators were reportedly attacked, though activists claim the destruction was the work of hired agitators sent to discredit their movement.
Authorities in Antananarivo have imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in response to the unrest, but thousands defied restrictions and returned to the streets on Monday.
Rajoelina, who first rose to power during a 2009 uprising and secured a third presidential term in 2023, now faces the most serious challenge of his political career. He pledged to initiate dialogue with young people, whose mobilisation has become a powerful voice demanding change.
Madagascar has endured repeated cycles of political unrest since its independence in 1960, but the current crisis stands out for its generational character. With young demonstrators at the forefront, the Gen Z movement has framed its struggle not as a call for power but as a plea for dignity and the basic right to live in decent conditions.
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