Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has dissolved his entire cabinet following violent protests sparked by persistent power outages and water shortages across the country.
The announcement, delivered in a televised address on Monday, confirmed the dismissal of Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and all ministers. Rajoelina cited growing public frustration and the suffering of citizens as the reason for his sweeping decision.
The protests, driven largely by young people demanding immediate solutions to the worsening utility crisis, turned deadly when security forces clashed with demonstrators. At least 20 people were killed and dozens more injured.
The unrest has prompted international concern, with the United Nations condemning the use of force against peaceful protesters and urging Madagascar’s authorities to respect citizens’ rights to free expression and assembly.
Recurring shortages of electricity and water have plagued Madagascar for years, but recent blackouts and dry taps intensified anger, fueling nationwide calls for urgent government action.
Analysts view the cabinet dissolution as Rajoelina’s attempt to ease tensions and signal a change in leadership direction. However, the president has yet to announce the composition of a new cabinet or outline immediate measures to address the crisis.