African nation’s leader dissolves government after ‘Gen Z’ protests
Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, has dissolved his government after days of deadly youth-led protests sparked by prolonged power cuts and water shortages in the Indian Ocean nation.
In a televised address late on Monday, Rajoelina acknowledged public anger over years of poor service delivery as he announced the dismissal of Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and his cabinet. He said, however, that the outgoing ministers would stay in office until a new administration is formed within three days.
“We acknowledge and apologize if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them,” Rajoelina said, adding that he understood the anger over power cuts and water shortages, having “heard the call” and “felt the suffering.”
At least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in protests led by young Malagasies dubbed the “Gen Z” movement, which began last Thursday in the capital Antananarivo, according to UN figures. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Monday he was “shocked and saddened by the killings and injuries” in the southern African island nation. His office noted the marches began “peacefully” but were met with “unnecessary force,” with some security officers using live ammunition against protesters.
Footage showed the aftermath at torched cable-car stations and a major shopping mall that had been looted by demonstrators. The homes of two lawmakers were also reportedly targeted. The unrest prompted the authorities to impose a nighttime curfew “to protect the population and their belongings until public order is restored.”
The African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have expressed “deep concern” over the violence and called on all sides to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful settlement.
In a bid to ease tensions, President Rajoelina fired his energy minister last Friday and on Sunday vowed sweeping reforms, declaring that “the way the country is run will be completely overhauled.”
Similar political turbulence unfolded in Kenya last year when President William Ruto dismissed nearly his entire cabinet after weeks of deadly youth-led protests against proposed tax hikes and the rising cost of living.
