Anti-government protests continue to shake Madagascar, with thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets in several cities on Thursday, demanding the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina. The unrest comes just days after the president dismissed his entire cabinet in an effort to quell growing discontent.
The demonstrations, which began on September 25, have been driven by frustration over persistent misgovernance, as well as widespread shortages of water and electricity. Calls for Rajoelina’s resignation escalated following a violent crackdown that left at least 22 people dead and hundreds injured, according to the United Nations a toll that the government disputes.
On Thursday, large crowds marched in Antsiranana, carrying banners reading “Rajoelina, piss off” and calling the president an “assassin.” In the southern coastal city of Toliara, protesters staged a symbolic funeral, carrying a mock coffin to represent the president’s political downfall. Demonstrations also spread to Mahajanga and Sambava, the world’s vanilla capital, marking the first major protests in that region.
Meanwhile, the capital Antananarivo saw a temporary pause in demonstrations. The youth-led “Gen Z” movement announced a 24-hour “strategic withdrawal” to preserve protesters’ strength after more than a week of near-daily mobilization. In a video statement, group members declared their determination to “change the history of Madagascar,” framing their struggle as a fight for the nation’s future and for generations to come.
Human rights groups have condemned the government’s response to the protests. Amnesty International criticized the use of “unlawful and excessive force” by security officials and urged authorities to investigate abuses and release detained demonstrators.
As Madagascar awaits the appointment of a new prime minister, uncertainty looms over the country’s political stability. The growing youth-led movement has signaled that it will not back down until its demands are met, setting the stage for a prolonged confrontation with the government.
