President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar recently attempted to quell widespread public unrest by dismissing his cabinet ministers. However, this move has only intensified the determination of thousands of predominantly young protestors who have taken to the streets.
Instead of calming the situation, Mr. Rajoelina’s announcement appears to have fueled the protesters’ demands, strengthening their call for his immediate resignation.
For days, the capital city of Antananarivo has been a hub of activity as thousands of young citizens gather to insist that President Rajoelina step down. Their grievances stem from his administration’s failure to provide fundamental necessities, particularly consistent access to electricity and clean water.
These severe disruptions to water and power supplies are crippling daily life, with protestors lamenting that the instability hinders their education and ability to secure food.
A scene from the capital showed demonstrators, protesting chronic electricity and water shortages, confronting police officers.
Rovatanjoniaina Valisoa Tsimaniva, a 21-year-old university student, expressed the pervasive sentiment: “He’s changed nothing. It’s as if everything he promised was just empty words. We are truly fed up.”
Gen Z Madagascar, a key youth-led group organizing these protests, intensified their efforts on Wednesday by calling for civil servants to join the demonstrations and initiate a strike. The organization is strategically adopting tactics seen in successful youth movements from countries like Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines, even utilizing a similar iconic grinning skull symbol to rally support.
The past week of protests has been marred by violent confrontations. Security forces have reportedly used tear gas, resorted to beatings, and made numerous arrests, according to accounts from the United Nations. While the U.N. states that at least 22 people have died, Madagascar’s government disputes this figure.
President Andry Rajoelina was seen addressing the United Nations General Assembly last week, as the domestic crisis escalated.
These demonstrations unfold against a backdrop of severe economic strain in Madagascar, exacerbated by factors like new tariffs. With a staggering three-quarters of the population living in poverty and agricultural output suffering from extreme weather conditions, the overall living standards across the island nation have significantly declined.
Ms. Tsimaniva described the harsh realities of daily life, including feeling unsafe walking home after dark due to non-functional streetlights. At home, the absence of electricity means she cannot cook, often forcing her to sleep hungry.
Madagascar, a former French colony, has a history of political instability, frequently witnessing leaders employing military and police forces to brutally suppress any form of dissent.
The current wave of protests ignited two weeks prior, following the arrest of two Antananarivo City Council members just before a scheduled demonstration against ongoing water and electricity shortages. Civil society groups and young people universally condemned these arrests as a clear tactic to stifle opposition.
Tuesday saw a temporary victory for activists as, after prolonged standoffs, security forces permitted demonstrators to bypass barricades and assemble at Democracy Square in central Antananarivo—a location they had sought to reach all week. However, this brief respite quickly turned into chaos as protestors clashed with security forces, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Democracy Square holds significant symbolic importance as a historical site of resistance in Madagascar. It was notably where Mr. Rajoelina’s own supporters frequently gathered during the coup that propelled him to power. This history creates a poignant irony for many young people observing his current heavy-handed response to dissent.
Ironically, in 2009, Mr. Rajoelina himself, then serving as the mayor of Antananarivo, spearheaded extensive protests against the sitting president, citing concerns over poor governance and repression. Those events reportedly resulted in over 130 deaths. Upon assuming power, he famously declared “the end of the dictatorship, of the mismanagement of state affairs.”
Today, the very same protestors are drawing comparisons between him and a dictator.
Mr. Rajoelina has publicly cautioned against any government takeover akin to the one he orchestrated. His spokeswoman, Lova Ranoromaro, communicated via text that a coup would jeopardize the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. She further stated that the government has secured financial aid from international partners to tackle water and electricity crises, but this support would be withdrawn should the president be ousted.
Ms. Ranoromaro emphasized that “calls for a coup or unconstitutional changes of power will not be tolerated, as they would only plunge the country back into instability.” She added that the president is eager to initiate a dialogue with the protesting groups.
Amidst the chaos, a protester was captured throwing a stone towards security forces during a demonstration in Antananarivo.
Rakotoarivao Andritiana Kevin, a third-year law student and active protester, shared his daily struggles: water shortages compel him to walk to a public tap, often waiting for an hour and a half just to fill a jerrycan. Furthermore, power surges during frequent blackouts are damaging his household appliances and computers.
“Our lives are wrecked,” stated Mr. Kevin, 20, echoing a widespread sentiment: “Everything is falling apart.”
Faraniaina Ramarosaona, who heads a rights organization in Madagascar, pointed out that while the nation has a long history of inadequate public services, the current situation is distinct. The widespread, intensified disruptions, coupled with the nationwide, youth-led nature of these protests, mark a unique moment in the country’s history.
Ms. Ramarosaona noted that despite dissolving his government, Mr. Rajoelina did not address the core needs of Madagascar’s youth nor did he apologize for the brutal crackdown on demonstrators. Many young protesters clarify that their primary objective is not to seize political power.
Consequently, Mr. Rajoelina’s recent invitation for citizens to submit resumes for government positions has been perceived as entirely disconnected from the reality of the ongoing crisis.
“We’re fighting for our rights,” affirmed Ms. Tsimaniva, the university student, encapsulating the movement’s core motivation.
In another scene, security forces were observed riding in the back of a pick-up truck during an anti-government protest in Ankadifotsy, Antananarivo.