In a significant turn of events following recent protests led by “Gen Z” in South Asia, the President of East Africa’s country, Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, announced on Monday that he was dissolving the government following youth-led protests over water and power outages. The United Nations reported that at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured during the rallies across the country.
Inspired by recent “Gen Z” protests in Kenya and Nepal, these three days of protests mark the largest unrest Madagascar has experienced in years and represent the most significant challenge Rajoelina has faced since his re-election in 2023.
In a televised speech, Rajoelina stated, “We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not effectively executed their responsibilities.”
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights indicated that the casualties include both protesters and bystanders killed by security forces, as well as individuals who died in subsequent violence and looting carried out by gangs not associated with the protesters.
