President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar has appointed General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the new prime minister, after he dissolved the former cabinet in response to the anti-government struggles over prolonged water and power shortages.
Being the director of the military under the previous cabinet, Rajoelina stated that restoration of law and people’s trust were central to the new prime minister’s appointment.
The President added that Zafisambo’s top priority would be to restore electricity and water supply.
The ongoing civil demonstrations in Madagascar hit its third week, with protesters returning to the streets to demand the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina. The youth–motivated protests resulted, following the overdue water and power cuts in the country.
What started as localized demonstrations, have now catapulted into a massive, organized movement, with crowds marching towards the presidential palace, marking one of the most significant challenges to President Rajoelina’s administration since he was re–elected in 2023.
Meanwhile, the ongoing protests have been marred with state resistance and human rights violations, with police using tear gas and water cannons to suppress the crowd’s demonstrations. Images revealed by Malagasy media showed police officers spearheading confrontations with protesters in some cities of the country.
According to a report released by the United Nations, nothing less than 22 lives have been lost to the protest, with over 100 more people suffering injuries in the wake of the protest. However, the Madagascar’s government rejected the figures, saying the data “was based on rumours and misinformation.”
President Rajoelina Dissolves Cabinet, But Protesters Want More
The president has earlier sacked his government, following days of demand for action over perennial water and power cuts that gripped the country.
The president faulted the cabinet member for failing to execute the tasks given to them, as the water and power cuts were alleged to have been caused by a combination of longstanding infrastructure challenges, coupled with operational failures, including decline in production of hydroelectric and financial poverty.
“We acknowledge and apologize if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them,” Rajoelina said.
“I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems. I heard the calls, I felt the suffering, I understood the impact on daily life,” he added.
The ongoing protests being the largest to have occurred in the Indian Ocean Island, are claimed to be motivated by the recent “Gen Z” in Kenya and Nepal.
Despite the president’s efforts to suppress the public anger, the youths throughout Antananarivo and other cities of the country are not satisfied, demanding the 51–year–old to join his dissolved cabinet.
Although President Rajoelina is ready to listen to the public outcries, he has so far ignored calls for his resignation.