On Sunday, military personnel were seen standing alongside jubilant demonstrators, many of whom cheered their presence. The show of unity between protesters and segments of the military came just hours after the president’s office warned of an “illegal attempt to seize power by force.”

Despite the heavy security presence, the day ended without immediate violence, though uncertainty remains over where the loyalty of the armed forces truly lies.

The unrest began on September 25 as youth-led demonstrations under the banner “Gen Z Madagascar,” initially protesting power and water shortages. The movement quickly evolved into a broader demand for an end to corruption, nepotism, and the rising cost of living. According to the UN, at least 22 people have died since the protests began, though the government disputes this figure.

The situation evokes memories of 2009, when Rajoelina first came to power through a military-backed coup led by the same CAPSAT unit whose current commander now claims control of the army.

Attempts to stabilize the crisis—including the president’s decision to dissolve his cabinet and appoint a military general as prime minister—have failed to calm the nation. With youth movements gaining strength and public anger mounting, many fear that Madagascar may once again be on the brink of a political collapse.

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The president had proposed talks with community leaders, students, and youth representatives in an effort to calm growing unrest. But demonstrators say they will not negotiate with a government they accuse of repression and violence.

“We refuse the president’s invitation to talks,” the protesters announced on social media. “We will not engage in dialogue with a regime that assaults and humiliates its youth in the streets.”

With their 48-hour ultimatum to the president expired, the movement has now called for a nationwide strike. Junior doctors have joined the cause, condemning police brutality during earlier protests.

The youth-led demonstrations, which began on September 25, were initially sparked by anger over chronic water and power shortages. However, they have since grown into a broader movement against poverty, corruption, and poor governance, with many demanding Rajoelina’s resignation.

Despite efforts to contain the crisis — including dismissing his cabinet and appointing a military prime minister — the president’s actions have failed to ease public anger, and the crowds continue to swell in the streets of Antananarivo.

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Demonstrators, many of them young people, chanted “Rajoelina Out” while waving flags and banners in the capital Antananarivo and other cities. Security forces tried to maintain control as rallies spread from neighborhood streets to major towns across the island.

The protests have already turned deadly, with at least 22 lives lost and over 100 people injured in clashes, though the government disputes those figures. The anger has only deepened since Rajoelina dissolved his government earlier this week, a move that protesters say does nothing to address their demands.

Many in the movement want sweeping political change, including the resignation of the president, the dissolution of key state institutions, and fresh leadership free from corruption. Opposition parties have backed the demonstrations, refusing to join any new government as long as Rajoelina remains in power.

Rajoelina, who first seized power in a 2009 coup before later winning elections, secured a third term in 2023 amid allegations of fraud. Now, his leadership faces its toughest test yet, as a generation of frustrated youth and angry citizens push for change.

In the midst of the turmoil, voices from the church and civil society are urging peace and dialogue to prevent the unrest from escalating further. But for now, the chants demanding Rajoelina’s resignation continue to echo through the streets of Madagascar.

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Anger erupted on Thursday as hundreds of mostly young people defied a ban on public gatherings, demanding better electricity and water supply. Roads were barricaded with burning tyres and stones, forcing police to fire rubber bullets and tear gas in response.

By afternoon, shops, banks, and appliance stores were looted, while several stations of the city’s new cable car system were set ablaze. Homes of politicians close to President Andry Rajoelina were also attacked.

Hospitals confirmed that at least five people lost their lives during the unrest, which has become one of the biggest tests for the president in recent years. Security forces claim opportunists are exploiting the protests to destroy property, while some lawmakers describe the movement as politically motivated.

Despite being rich in natural resources, Madagascar remains among the poorest nations in the world, with three-quarters of its population living below the poverty line. Long power cuts, sometimes lasting more than 12 hours, continue to disrupt daily life for homes and businesses.

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This marks the first visit by a French president to the island nation since Jacques Chirac in 2005. As France’s influence wanes in the Sahel, the country is seeking to rebuild partnerships in eastern and southern Africa.

With a population of around 30 million, Madagascar is a key French-speaking nation in the region.

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Macron’s schedule includes talks with President Andry Rajoelina, the signing of bilateral agreements, and meetings with Malagasy business leaders.

However, the visit is also expected to touch on more sensitive issues, including the dispute over the Scattered Islands—resource-rich territories still under French control since Madagascar’s independence. While France has signaled willingness to discuss the matter, it has not indicated any intention to relinquish the islands, despite pressure from segments of the Malagasy public.

Macron has also expressed a commitment to return cultural artifacts taken from Madagascar during the colonial era, as part of broader efforts to address historical grievances.

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