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Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and the entire government on Monday in response to days of youth-led protests over chronic electricity and water shortages.
The United Nations reported at least 22 people killed and more than 100 injured in the unrest, which began on Thursday. Rajoelina announced the dismissals in a televised address on state broadcaster Televiziona Malagasy, stating that Prime Minister Ntsay and the ministers would serve in an interim capacity until a new government is formed.
The protests, organized by young demonstrators under the banner of a "Gen Z" movement, drew thousands to the streets of the capital Antananarivo and other cities. Demonstrators carried placards reading "water and electricity are basic human rights" and "Malagasy people, wake up." Security forces imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Antananarivo on Thursday and extended it to other major cities on Friday.
Protesters blocked roads with burning tires and rocks and set fire to several stations of the capital's new cable car system, which operates only three hours a day on generator power due to outages, according to local media reports. The state-owned utility Jirama, responsible for electricity and water, suspended its Facebook activity for 36 days on Thursday, including outage schedules it usually posts daily.
"I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems," Rajoelina said in the address. He added, "We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them."
Rajoelina had dismissed the energy minister on Friday and visited a poor district of Antananarivo on Sunday, where he promised the government would focus on protecting and improving lives, according to his office. He expressed sympathy for those who lost loved ones but did not provide a death toll.
Madagascar's Foreign Ministry disputed the U.N. casualty figures in a statement, saying the government "strongly denies" that 22 people died. The ministry did not release its own casualty numbers and did not immediately respond to requests for further details.
The U.N. human rights office said the protests started peacefully but that security forces used unnecessary force, including tear gas, beatings, arrests and live ammunition. On Monday, thousands gathered near the University of Antananarivo, sang the national anthem and attempted to march to the city center before police dispersed them with tear gas, footage from local channel 2424.MG showed.
Only 36% of Madagascar's 31 million people have access to electricity, which is subject to hours-long daily outages, according to U.N. data. The island nation ranks in the bottom 10 of the U.N. Human Development Index.
Rajoelina, 51, has held power since 2019 and won a third term in 2023 in an election boycotted by many opponents who accused him of manipulating the vote. The demonstrations represent the most significant challenge to his authority since taking office. Rajoelina said he planned to hold talks with young people, but protesters continued to call for his resignation and new elections.
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