Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina announced on Monday the dissolution of his government following three days of intense, youth-led protests against chronic water and electricity shortages that the United Nations says have left at least 22 people dead.
The demonstrations, which erupted last week over persistent, hours-long power blackouts and water rationing, quickly escalated into the most serious challenge to Rajoelina’s authority since his re-election in 2023.
Dubbed the “Leo Délestage” (Fed up with load shedding) movement, the protests have drawn thousands of mostly young people onto the streets of the capital, Antananarivo, and other major cities, many chanting calls for the President’s resignation.
In a televised address, a contrite President Rajoelina said: “I have decided to terminate the functions of the Prime Minister and the government.” He expressed remorse for the public’s suffering, saying, “I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems. I heard the call, I felt the suffering.”
The crisis has been marked by deadly clashes. The UN Human Rights Office reported that at least 22 people have been killed and over 100 injured, attributing some of the fatalities to a “violent response” by security forces, including the use of live ammunition.
Madagascar’s foreign ministry disputed the UN claim stating the UN were only collecting rumors and not actual facts. The President has invited applications for a new premier and cabinet, with the outgoing officials staying on in an interim capacity.
Youths of the southern African island nation have drawn inspiration from similar recent “Gen Z” protests in Kenya, where the youth protested firmly against government tax hikes and Nepal, adopting an anti-establishment rallying cry and leveraging social media for organization. Protesters were seen holding placards reading “We want to live, not just survive.”
However, the move to dissolve the government is widely seen as an attempt by the former coup leader to quell public fury and assert control in one of the world’s poorest nations. Rajoelina also promised to open a dialogue with young people and provide support for businesses affected by looting that occurred amid the chaos. The President has set a three-day deadline for applications for the new government.
