By Staff Writer
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) ~ Weeks of mounting unrest in Madagascar have shaken the island nation’s political foundations, as youth-led protests forced President Andry Rajoelina to dissolve his government in what observers are calling the country’s most significant political upheaval in years.
The movement, driven by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar,” began on September 25 as a response to chronic power and water outages. But the demonstrations quickly swelled into a broader outcry against government corruption, economic hardship, and what protesters say is Rajoelina’s failure to address basic public needs.
Now in their third week, the protests have galvanized support from civic organizations, labor unions, and opposition groups. The continued unrest has prompted authorities to impose nightly curfews in the capital, Antananarivo, and several major cities.
The United Nations has confirmed at least 22 deaths amid clashes between security forces and demonstrators, raising alarm over the government’s handling of the crisis.
In a dramatic attempt to quell public anger, Rajoelina dismissed his entire cabinet and appointed a new prime minister. But the move was swiftly rejected by protest leaders, who have issued a stark ultimatum: resign or face continued mass mobilization.
Rajoelina’s call for dialogue, scheduled for Wednesday, was also rebuffed. “We are not interested in negotiations that come too late,” one protest organizer told local media. “We want real change, not political theater.”
Inspired by similar Gen Z-led protest movements in Kenya, Nepal, and Morocco, the Madagascan youth movement has harnessed the power of social media to organize, communicate, and rally international attention.
With no signs of slowing, the protests mark a turning point for the island nation’s youth, who are demanding a greater say in the country’s political and economic future.
Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world despite its rich natural resources, has long struggled with political instability and underdevelopment. The current crisis poses a serious challenge to Rajoelina’s leadership and may redefine the country’s political landscape in the months to come.
