Madagascar Unrest Escalates as President Rajoelina Fails to Address Youth-Led Protests

Anti-government protests led by the Gen Z movement have continued for weeks, with demonstrators demanding President Andry Rajoelina's resignation over his alleged failure to provide basic services, such as water and electricity. Despite claims of a coup plot, the protests show no signs of abating, with 22 reported deaths since September 25. The government's attempts to calm the situation have been met with skepticism, with the Gen Z movement rejecting Rajoelina's speech as "senseless" and vowing to take further action if their demands are not met.

Key Takeaways:

• The Gen Z movement, a nationwide youth-led protest, has been demanding President Rajoelina's resignation over his alleged failure to provide basic services, including water and electricity.
• At least 22 people have been killed since the protests started on September 25, with the United Nations confirming the deaths.
• The government has accused "opportunistic groups" of infiltrating the protests and exploiting the vulnerability of some of Madagascar's young people, while the Gen Z movement has rejected the president's speech as "senseless" and vowed to take further action if their demands are not met.
• Madagascar's Foreign Minister, Rasata Rafaravavitafika, has claimed that the country faced a "massive cyberattack" and a "targeted digital manipulation campaign" launched from another country.
• President Rajoelina has accused some politicians of plotting to take advantage of the protests and staging a coup, without providing evidence, while the Gen Z movement has rejected these claims.
• The protests have forced Rajoelina to sack his government and invite dialogue, with the president meeting various groups to discuss the situation.
• The country's economy has been struggling, with 75% of its population of 32 million living below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank.

Statistics:

• At least 22 people have been killed since the protests started on September 25, according to the United Nations.
• 75% of Madagascar's population of 32 million lived below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank.
• The protests have been ongoing for several weeks, with demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital, Antananarivo, as well as in the northern coastal city of Mahajanga and in the southern cities of Toliara and Fianarantsoa.

Sources:

• Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/10/1/madagascar-protesters-return-to-streets-as-government-dissolves)
• Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/29/madagascar-president-dissolves-government-after-youth-led-deadly-protests)
• World Bank (no specific date)