Hundreds of demonstrators gathered again in Antananarivo on Saturday, just days after violent protests left several people dead and shops looted in the Malagasy capital.
The unrest, triggered by anger over chronic water and power shortages, has quickly escalated into one of the most serious challenges facing President Andry Rajoelina in recent years.
Clad mostly in black and with their faces partially covered, the protesters — many of them students — carried placards reading “We are poor, angry and unhappy” and “Madagascar is ours.” Security forces blocked their path to the city centre and deployed tear gas to disperse them. Reports from hospital staff, yet to be officially confirmed, suggest at least five people were killed in Thursday’s violence when police fired rubber bullets as demonstrations descended into looting and arson.
In a video address late on Friday, Rajoelina announced the dismissal of his energy minister, accusing him of failing to address the rolling blackouts and water shortages that fuelled the protests. While condemning the violence as “acts of destabilisation,” the president insisted that his government remained committed to restoring stability.
Regional bodies have voiced alarm over the deteriorating situation. The Southern African Development Community, which Rajoelina currently chairs, expressed concern about “unconfirmed fatalities and extensive damage” while praising the government’s efforts to contain the crisis. The African Union urged calm and dialogue, warning against further escalation.
