Esther Imonmion
The streets of Antananarivo, Madagascar, were tense on Friday as the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in response to deadly Madagascar protests over persistent power outages and water shortages. Authorities warned the measure would remain until public order was fully restored, as hundreds of mostly young demonstrators, including members of Gen Z Madagascar, had taken to the streets, defying a government ban.
The unrest escalated Thursday when protesters erected barricades of burning tyres and rocks, prompting police to respond with rubber bullets and tear gas. By afternoon, looting spread across the capital, targeting retailers, appliance stores, and banks. Several cable car stations were set ablaze, and the homes of three politicians close to President Andry Rajoelina came under attack.
Hospital sources confirmed at least five fatalities, making the demonstrations one of the most serious challenges to the president’s rule in recent years. The government blamed criminal elements for exploiting the unrest, while some legislators described the movement as politically motivated.
In the middle of the crisis, youth-led groups vowed their demands would not be silenced, insisting the curfew would not end the Madagascar protests. Many cited government mismanagement and corruption, pointing to chronic blackouts and water shortages that had made daily life unbearable.
President Rajoelina dismissed the energy minister, condemned the looting and arson, and called for restraint, while the Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar (FFKM) appealed for calm and continued access to essential services.
By Friday morning, Antananarivo’s streets were largely deserted under a heavy security presence, though some looting persisted in commercial areas. General Angelo Ravelonarivo defended the curfew as necessary to protect the population and their belongings.
The ongoing Madagascar protests highlight long-simmering frustrations over basic service delivery failures in one of the world’s poorest countries, where 75 percent of citizens live below the poverty line, underscoring the urgent need for reform.