Madagascar, which has been rocked by a wave of massive demonstrations over chronic water and electricity shortages for close to a week now, has prompted President Andry Rajoelina to dissolve his government.
The decision came days after a deadly upheaval, sparked mostly by dissatisfied youths seeking not only basic amenities but also broad political reforms, erupted.
Following familiar themes of young people demanding better governance, the protests are said to have been inspired by the Gen Z-led protests in Kenya last year and in Nepal this year.
In Nepal, protests orchestrated by the country’s youth led to the complete dissolution of its government, while in Kenya, the protests that began last year over tax hikes have led to massive reforms, including the revision of government structures.
The president of Madagascar, on Monday, as seen on the BBC, “terminated the functions of the prime minister and the government,” and before the formation of a new government, applications for a new premier would be accepted.
Last week, he tried to imitate Kenya’s solution of taking down several officials and offices to protect the office of the president.
He had announced the dismissal of the energy minister after deducing that he was unable to do his job, but protesters insisted that the president and the rest of his government step down, too.
The protests, which saw many young people chanting “We want to live, not survive,” finally forced the president of the country to cave in, agreeing to take down the very government he is heading.
“We acknowledge and apologise if members of the government have not carried out the tasks assigned to them,” Andry Rajoelina said in a televised national address on Monday.
“I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems. I heard the call, I felt the suffering, I understood the impact on daily life,” the president added.
According to the UN’s human rights chief, security personnel used “unnecessary force” to try and end the protests, resulting in the killing of at least 22 people and the injury of approximately 100 people.
The UN’s figures were refuted by Madagascar’s foreign ministry, which claimed the information was “based on rumours or misinformation.”
The group also noted that the victims included “protesters and bystanders killed by members of the security forces, but also others killed in subsequent widespread violence and looting by individuals and gangs not associated with the protesters.”
The Madagascaran protesters adopted a flag from Nepal, where they compelled the prime minister to step down this month.
They utilized the internet, organizing strategies akin to those employed in Kenya last year, which resulted in the government abandoning proposed tax legislation.
