Madagascar is experiencing its worst political crisis in years, as President Andry Rajoelina dissolved the government after youth-led protests over water and electricity shortages left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations' human rights office. The unrest stems from deep economic hardship and frustration with basic infrastructure failures in one of the world's poorest nations, where about 75% of residents live below the poverty line.
Photo Credit: CrabeXBug, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What Started the Protests
The recent demonstrations began on September 26, 2025, when young people organized the "Leo Délestage" movement—meaning "Fed up with load shedding"—aimed at highlighting the country’s severe power and water cuts. Social media, especially Facebook, played a central role in mobilizing crowds. The protests started peacefully but intensified as police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, beatings, and arrests, with some reports of live ammunition being used. As protests spread across the capital Antananarivo and other cities, incidents of looting and violence also occurred, sometimes caused by criminal gangs not associated with the demonstrators.
Response from Authorities
President Rajoelina initially tried to address the protests by firing the energy minister, but public anger persisted. With mounting pressure and demands for both his resignation and that of Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, Rajoelina announced the dissolution of the government on September 29, promising to appoint a new prime minister soon and review governance failures. Police have imposed nighttime curfews, but large crowds continue to call for deeper political change.
Madagascar’s infrastructure issues are linked to long-standing poverty and political instability. The country faces frequent power and water outages that disrupt daily life and business operations. The recent protests resemble "Gen Z" movements in places like Nepal and Kenya, where youth have forced powerful political resignations by rallying online and adopting symbols such as the skull-and-crossbones flag from the anime "One Piece". These events reflect growing discontent among younger generations worldwide and their willingness to demand accountability from governments.
The situation remains tense, with ongoing protests and continued curfews. President Rajoelina's promise to reform the government will be a test of his leadership, but protest organizers remain determined that only sweeping change will address Madagascar’s urgent problems.
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