Madagascar President melts the government amid the “General Z” protests

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Natasha spoil and

Jessica Ronsley

Reuters Police Police in a greatly armored bear driving the car behind three demonstrators who escape from tear gas smoke.Reuters

The President of Madagascar said that he would replace his government, days after the protests led by young people to water discounts and long power.

“We admit and apologize if the members of the government do not carry out the tasks allocated to them,” Andrei Rajina said in a televised national speech on Monday.

The so-called GEN-Z protests have witnessed thousands of young demonstrators mostly to the streets in cities throughout Madagascar since Thursdayand Under the cry of the assembly: “We want to live, not stay alive.”

The United Nations Human Rights President condemned the “unnecessary force” used by the security forces to suppress the turmoil, saying that at least 22 people were killed and 100 others were wounded.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madagascar rejected the United Nations numbers, claiming that the data “is based on rumors or wrong information.”

The protests began for the first time in the capital, Antananarivo, but have since spread to eight cities throughout the country.

The dusk curfew in Antananarivo was imposed after reports of violence and looting, as the police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

UNCHR VOLKER Türk President said that he was “shocked” of the violent security forces campaign that he also witnessed the arrests, beatings and live bullets used against the demonstrators.

“I urge the security forces to stop using unnecessary and non -proportional force and arbitrarily release all demonstrators,” Turk said in a statement on Monday.

According to the United Nations, the dead “include demonstrators and passers -by who were killed by members of the security forces, but also others who were killed in large -scale violence and looting by individuals and gangs that are not associated with demonstrators.”

Getty Images protested with their face covered with a mask carrying a poster he says Gety pictures
EPA/Shutterstock women carrying signs of protestEPA/Shutterstock

The protests started safely on Thursday in the capital, Antananarivo

Last week, the President of Madagascar announced that he had sacked the Minister of Energy for his failure to perform his job properly, but the demonstrators demanded the main step down and the rest of his government as well.

He took thousands to the streets again on Monday.

“I understand the anger, sadness and difficulties caused by energy cuts and water supply problems,” said Rajina, during his speech on a television broadcaster.

He said that “he has finished the positions of the Prime Minister and the government” and the requests of the new Prime Minister will be received over the next three days before the formation of a new government.

Rajoelina added that he wanted to hold talks with young people.

I read a banner in a demonstration last week in Antananarivo: “We don’t want trouble, we just want our rights.”

However, some reports indicated last week that the demonstrators had been affected – perhaps by setting fire to at least two homes of the legislators. However, the “Gen Z” movement claims that paid fools have looted the various buildings in order to undermine their cause.

Madagascar has been shook through multiple uprisings since she gained independence in 1960, including mass protests in 2009 that forced former President Mark Rafaanana to step down and saw Rajina to reach power.

The protests define the most important challenge that the president has faced since his third re -election in 2023.

Additional reports by Danny Eberhard

More BBC stories on Madagascar:

Getty Images/BBC Woman looking at her mobile phone and graphic news for BBC AfricaGetty Images/BBC



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