Madagascar's president has said he will dissolve his government, following days of youth-led protests over longstanding water and power cuts. We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them, Andry Rajoelina said in a televised national address on Monday.
The so-called Gen-Z protests have seen thousands of predominantly young demonstrators take to the streets in cities across Madagascar since Thursday, under the rallying cry: We want to live, not survive. The UN's human rights chief condemned the unnecessary force used by security forces to quell the unrest, saying at least 22 people have been killed and 100 others injured.
Madagascar's foreign ministry has rejected the UN's figures, alleging the data is based on rumours or misinformation. Protests first started in the capital Antananarivo but have since spread to eight cities across the country. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in Antananarivo after reports of violence and looting, with police firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Last week, Madagascar's president announced that he had sacked the energy minister for failing to do his job properly, but protesters demanded that the president and the rest of his government step down too. Rajoelina stated he understood the frustration caused by the current situation, and he urged security forces to cease using excessive force.
While the protests have highlighted the grievances of the youth, some reports suggested that others have taken advantage of the unrest to commit acts of violence.Violence has marred protests that initially took place peacefully in Antananarivo, leading to broad unrest across the nation.
The recent upheaval marks the most significant challenge President Rajoelina has faced since his re-election in 2023, demonstrating the growing dissatisfaction among Madagascar's youth regarding their living conditions and government effectiveness.
The so-called Gen-Z protests have seen thousands of predominantly young demonstrators take to the streets in cities across Madagascar since Thursday, under the rallying cry: We want to live, not survive. The UN's human rights chief condemned the unnecessary force used by security forces to quell the unrest, saying at least 22 people have been killed and 100 others injured.
Madagascar's foreign ministry has rejected the UN's figures, alleging the data is based on rumours or misinformation. Protests first started in the capital Antananarivo but have since spread to eight cities across the country. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in Antananarivo after reports of violence and looting, with police firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Last week, Madagascar's president announced that he had sacked the energy minister for failing to do his job properly, but protesters demanded that the president and the rest of his government step down too. Rajoelina stated he understood the frustration caused by the current situation, and he urged security forces to cease using excessive force.
While the protests have highlighted the grievances of the youth, some reports suggested that others have taken advantage of the unrest to commit acts of violence.Violence has marred protests that initially took place peacefully in Antananarivo, leading to broad unrest across the nation.
The recent upheaval marks the most significant challenge President Rajoelina has faced since his re-election in 2023, demonstrating the growing dissatisfaction among Madagascar's youth regarding their living conditions and government effectiveness.
