Madagascar is experiencing its most significant wave of civil unrest in years, with protests demanding the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina entering a fifth consecutive day. The demonstrations, which began in the capital Antananarivo and have now spread to several towns including Toliara, were sparked by anger over nationwide power blackouts and water shortages, exposing deeper frustrations over governance and service delivery in the island nation.
The United Nations has reported at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries since the protests began. The Malagasy government disputes these figures and has yet to release its own official toll. Despite dissolving his government on Monday in an attempt to quell discontent, President Rajoelina has failed to calm the anger of the demonstrators.
These rallies, many of them youth-led, have been the largest seen in Madagascar since Rajoelina’s controversial re-election in 2023. They have also drawn parallels with other movements across the Global South, including the recent “Gen Z” protests in Kenya and similar uprisings in Nepal, underscoring the growing influence of young people in shaping political discourse and demanding accountability.
Videos broadcast on privately-owned Radio Télévision Siteny showed crowds chanting “Rajoelina Out” while waving the Malagasy flag and carrying banners calling not only for the president’s departure but also for the dissolution of the electoral commission, the senate, and the constitutional court. Demonstrators in some cities were escorted by security forces, while others travelled in rickshaws, reflecting the diversity of participation across social groups.
The opposition has been swift to align itself with the popular discontent. Rivo Rakotovao, leader of the Firaisankina alliance, declared that his bloc would refuse to join any government led by Rajoelina. He argued that the movement represented “an action to rescue the Malagasy people and rebuild the nation, led by the Malagasy people and driven by the youth.”
The government has insisted that the demonstrations have been accompanied by violence. Presidential spokesperson Lova Ranoromaro wrote on social media that property had been destroyed and homes looted during the protests. She reiterated the administration’s opposition to unconstitutional power transfers, stating: “We do not want a coup d’état, because a coup d’état destroys a nation, because a coup d’état destroys the future of our children.”
Andry Rajoelina is no stranger to political volatility. He first came to power in 2009 after leading a coup against then-president Marc Ravalomanana, before stepping down in 2014 under international pressure. He returned in 2018 after winning the presidential election, and secured a third term in December 2023 in a contest marred by allegations of irregularities and low voter confidence in electoral institutions.
The crisis has drawn international attention. Pope Leo, addressing the unrest from the Vatican, expressed sorrow at the violence in Madagascar, a nation where Christianity is the dominant faith. In his weekly address, he called for restraint, urging that “every form of violence may always be avoided” and appealing for the promotion of justice and social harmony.
Analysts argue that the Malagasy crisis cannot be reduced to a domestic political dispute alone. It reflects wider challenges facing African states where youth populations are increasingly vocal in demanding responsive governance and equitable access to basic services. Energy insecurity, water scarcity, and institutional distrust have been recurring themes across the continent, from South Africa’s rolling blackouts to Nigeria’s recurring water shortages. Madagascar’s current unrest therefore resonates within a continental pattern where service delivery and governance legitimacy are intertwined.
The generational character of the protests is especially significant. With a median age of just 19, Madagascar has one of the youngest populations in the world. Many of those now on the streets grew up during periods of political instability and have seen little tangible improvement in living conditions despite repeated promises of reform. For these young Malagasies, the demand is not only for the president’s resignation but for a broader rethinking of governance structures, inclusion, and accountability.
While Rajoelina remains in office, the momentum of the protests suggests that Madagascar is entering a period of heightened uncertainty. The balance between popular mobilisation, state security responses, and international mediation will likely shape the trajectory of the crisis in the weeks to come. What is clear, however, is that many citizens are no longer willing to accept the status quo, and their demands reflect broader continental conversations about the right to protest, the role of youth, and the future of African governance.
