Madagascar President dissolves the government against the GEN Z protests

The President of Madagascar said he would dissolve his government during the days of protests led by young people due to many years of water and electricity cuts.

“We admit and apologize if the members of the government have not completed the tasks assigned to them,” Andri Raoelina said on a television national address on Monday.

The so-called Gen-Z protests are observed thousands of mostly young demonstrators come out on the streets in Madagascar from Thursday., Under the flashing cry: “We want to live, not to survive.”

The head of the UN human rights condemned the “unnecessary power” used by the security forces to suppress the excitement, saying that at least 22 people had been killed and 100 others were injured.

The Madagascar Foreign Ministry has rejected the UN data, claiming that the data is “based on rumors or misinformation”.

The protests began for the first time in the capital Antananarivo, but since then they have spread to eight cities across the country.

In Antananarivo, a dusk compartment was imposed after dawn after reports of violence and robbery, with police launching rubber bullets and tear gas to scatter the crowds.

UNCHR leader Volker Turk said he was “shocked” by the violent repression of the security forces, which he said he also sees arrests, beatings and live bullets used against demonstrators.

“I urge the security forces to refuse to use unnecessary and disproportionate force and immediately release all arbitrarily retained protesters,” Turk said in a statement on Monday.

According to the UN, the dead “include protesters and observers killed by members of the security forces, but also others killed in subsequently widespread violence and robbery by people and bands who are not related to protesters.”

Last week, Madagascar President announced that he had fired the Minister of Energy, that he had not done his job properly, but the protesters asked the president and the rest of his government to withdraw.

Thousands took to the street once again on Monday.

“I understand the anger, sadness and difficulties caused by interruption of electricity and water supply problems,” Raoelina said during her address on the state television operator Malagi.

He said he “ceased the functions of the Prime Minister and the Government” and applications for a new prime minister will be received within the next three days before a new government is formed.

Rajolin added that he wanted to talk to young people.

The banner of one of the demonstrations last week in Antananarivo reads: “We don’t want problems, we just want our rights.”

But some reports suggest that protesters were damaged – probably by setting on fire – the homes of at least two legislators. However, the Gen Z movement claims that the paid chases have plundered different buildings to undermine their cause.

Madagascar has been shaken by numerous uprisings since winning independence in 1960, including the mass protests in 2009, which forced former President Mark Ravalomanan to withdraw and see Rayolina come to power.

The protests note the most significant challenge that the president has faced after his third re-election in 2023.

Additional reporting by Danny Aberhard