Madagascar President Dismisses Government Amid Deadly Protests

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and the entire government following days of protests over water and electricity shortages that resulted in multiple fatalities. In a televised address, Rajoelina announced that Ntsay and other officials would serve in an interim capacity until a new government is formed. He invited applications for government positions and set a three-day period to review proposals for a new prime minister.

The protests, which began on Thursday, were led by youth demanding reliable access to essential services. Demonstrations escalated, leading the government to impose nighttime curfews in the capital, Antananarivo, and other major cities. The United Nations human rights office reported that at least 22 people have been killed and over 100 injured during the unrest. The U.N. attributed some of the deaths to a "violent response" by security forces, noting that the protests started peacefully but were met with unnecessary force, including the use of tear gas and live ammunition.

Madagascar's Foreign Minister Rasata Rafaravavitafika disputed the U.N.'s death toll, stating that the government "strongly denies" that 22 people had died, though no official figures were provided. President Rajoelina expressed sympathy for those who lost loved ones but did not offer a specific death toll.

The demonstrations have been fueled by widespread poverty and the government's failure to provide reliable water and electricity supplies. Protesters have carried flags and worn T-shirts featuring a skull and crossbones image from the Japanese anime series "One Piece," a symbol recently adopted by anti-government protesters in Nepal and parts of Southeast Asia. Placards with messages such as "Justice for Madagascar," "Leo" (meaning "we're fed up"), and "We want to live, not just survive" have been prominent.

President Rajoelina, 51, has been in office since 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by most opposition candidates. He previously led a provisional government following a 2009 coup.