Madagascar’s embattled President Andry Rajoelina has appointed an army general as the new prime minister in a bid to quell ongoing youth-led protests against his rule.
Rajoelina said the nation required a premier “capable of restoring order and the people's trust” before naming Gen Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo to the post.
The appointment comes days after the president expressed fears of a coup attempt, signalling a notable militarisation of the government as Rajoelina seeks to secure army support amid rising tensions.
The protest movement, known as Gen Z Mada, rejected Gen Zafisambo’s appointment and gave Rajoelina 48 hours to resign. “As long as Rajoelina remains in power, we will continue the struggle,” the group said in a statement.
The demonstrations began on September 25, initially sparked by public anger over repeated power outages and water shortages. They have since expanded to include wider grievances over corruption, high unemployment, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Last week, Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, a civilian, and his entire cabinet in an effort to placate the protesters.
In a declaration from the presidential palace on Monday, he said the new prime minister needed to be “someone clean” and “ready to save Madagascar.” Gen Zafisambo previously served as the director of the military cabinet in the Prime Minister’s Office.
The United Nations reported that at least 22 people had been killed and more than 100 injured during the protests, though the government rejected these figures, calling them “rumours and misinformation.”
On Monday, security forces clashed with demonstrators in several cities as unrest entered its third week.
Hundreds of youths, primarily university students, marched from the outskirts of the capital, Antananarivo, to the city centre. One protester was injured and hospitalised following clashes with security forces, who had erected barricades.
Similar confrontations occurred in the southern city of Toliara and the northern city of Diego Suarez.
Former President Marc Ravalomanana, along with other opposition leaders, expressed support for the protesters. Ravalomanana told that Rajoelina’s biggest problem was that he “doesn't listen.”
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He added that Gen Zafisambo’s appointment “won’t make a difference,” noting that the general had previously served in the prime minister’s office and could not resolve Madagascar’s crisis.
Ravalomanana opposed military intervention and said he would consider returning to office if the public demanded it.
Since gaining independence in 1960, Madagascar has experienced multiple uprisings, including mass protests in 2009 that forced Ravalomanana to step down and brought Rajoelina to power.
Rajoelina governed for four years before returning after the 2018 election. The current protests represent the most significant challenge he has faced since his re-election in 2023.
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