MWE Correspondent
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina announced the dissolution of his government after days of violent protests that left at least 22 people dead, according to the United Nations.
The announcement came during a televised address Monday night, where Rajoelina confirmed the dismissal of Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and his cabinet. However, he added that the outgoing government would remain in place temporarily until a new team is appointed.
“I have heard your voices,” Rajoelina said. “I ask for forgiveness if government officials have failed in their duties. It is time for us to chart a new course.”
He gave political leaders three days to propose a replacement for the Prime Minister, signaling urgency in addressing the crisis that has rocked his administration.
The unrest, which erupted late last week, has been driven largely by young demonstrators fed up with years of economic hardship, erratic electricity supply, and severe water shortages. In Antananarivo, thousands marched through the streets chanting for change, carrying signs demanding accountability and the right to basic services.
Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as clashes escalated, leading to deaths, injuries, and widespread fear. Some protests devolved into looting, with businesses and homes of government officials targeted.
Despite the dissolution, protests continued into Tuesday, as many citizens voiced skepticism over whether changing the cabinet alone would fix deeper structural problems.
Political analysts say the crisis reflects a broader collapse of public trust in leadership. Since coming to power in 2018, Ntsay has headed successive governments but faced criticism for failing to resolve recurring crises. The protests are now being seen as part of the wider 2025 Malagasy protests, a movement demanding reform, dignity, and social justice.
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For many Malagasy citizens, the hardships are personal. “We spend hours without power, we don’t have clean water, and yet prices keep going up,” said a 24-year-old protester in the capital. “This is not just about politics — this is about survival.”
Others echoed frustration at decades of political instability, noting that leaders often promise reform during crises but fail to deliver lasting change.
On Monday evening, as Rajoelina’s speech played on televisions and radios across the country, reactions were mixed. Some citizens expressed cautious hope that a reshuffled government could bring relief. Others, however, dismissed the move as a cosmetic solution.
“We have heard this story before,” said a mother of three watching the address with her neighbors. “We want water, we want light, we want jobs. Not just new names in the cabinet.”
In the streets, chants of “No more excuses!” and “Justice for Madagascar!” echoed long after the speech ended, underscoring the fragile trust between the government and its people.
