By ANTANANARIVO, Oct 4 (AfrikTimes) – Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said on Friday he was ready to listen and find solutions to the country’s growing challenges but dismissed mounting calls for his resignation amid a nationwide youth-led protest movement.
Inspired by similar “Gen Z” demonstrations in Kenya and Nepal, the protests have evolved over the past week into the largest wave of unrest Madagascar has seen in years. The movement reflects widespread frustration over deepening poverty, corruption, and failing infrastructure.
Rajoelina’s move to dissolve his government on Monday was intended to calm public anger but has done little to ease tensions. Demonstrations, which began on September 25 in the capital, Antananarivo, over worsening water shortages and power outages, have since spread to other regions.
The United Nations says at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the first few days of the protests. The government rejects those figures.
A protester reacts during a nationwide youth-led protest over worsening water shortages and power outages, and demands for the resignation of Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina , in Antananarivo, Madagascar, October 3, 2025.
“No one benefits from the destruction of the nation. I am here, I stand here ready to listen, ready to extend a helping hand, and above all, ready to bring solutions to Madagascar,” Rajoelina said in a speech broadcast on his Facebook page.
The president alleged, without evidence, that some political figures were attempting to exploit the demonstrations and had considered staging a coup while he was in New York last week for the United Nations General Assembly.
“Criticism of existing problems does not necessarily have to be expressed in the streets; it should be done through dialogue,” said Rajoelina, who himself first came to power in a 2009 coup after leading mass protests against the then-government.
In a post on his X account on Friday, Rajoelina said he had also met various groups for the past three days to discuss the situation.
An injured person is assisted by medical staff during a nationwide youth-led protest over worsening water shortages and power outages, and demands for the resignation of Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina , in Antananarivo, Madagascar, October 3, 2025.
Fresh protests resumed in Antananarivo on Friday after a one-day pause, with police firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators, according to footage aired by Real TV Madagasikara.
Despite Madagascar’s significant mineral wealth, biodiversity and agricultural land, the Indian Ocean island nation is among the poorest countries in the world. Between independence in 1960 and 2020, income per capita has fallen 45% in real terms, according to the World Bank, which blames the poor economic performance on tight control of the institutions and resources by an unaccountable elite, and a lack of competition and transparency.
