Madagascar Boils as Protests Grow Despite Government Dissolution

Young protesters in Madagascar returned to the streets of Antananarivo on Tuesday, refusing to back down even after President Andry Rajoelina dissolved his government in a bid to ease rising anger.

Security forces fired tear gas at crowds demanding clean water, stable electricity, and an end to hardship.Rajoelina had appeared on national television late Monday, saying he wanted dialogue with the youth and pledging new steps to support struggling businesses hit by looting during the unrest.

But many protesters dismissed his words, calling for him, the dismissed prime minister, and the capital’s administrator to step down. Placards bearing messages such as “We need water, we need electricity, Rajoelina out” were raised across the capital.

The United Nations reported that at least 22 people have died and more than 100 injured since the unrest began last week, though Madagascar’s foreign ministry rejected those numbers, claiming they were based on unverified sources.Protests were not limited to Antananarivo.

Demonstrators marched in Fenoarivo, about 20km away, as well as in Mahajanga to the northwest and Diego Suarez in the far north, according to local media. Privately owned Real TV Madagasikara aired footage of the rallies, showing crowds chanting and marching despite heavy police presence.

The movement, inspired by youth-led uprisings in Kenya and Nepal, has now entered its fourth day and is seen as the largest wave of demonstrations in Madagascar in years. The unrest marks the toughest challenge for Rajoelina since his disputed re-election in December 2023.

Rajoelina first took power in a 2009 coup, stepped down in 2014, and later reclaimed the presidency in 2018. His latest term has been clouded by allegations of electoral irregularities, fueling frustration that is now spilling onto the streets.