Authorities in Madagascar have mandated a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital, Antananarivo, following a series of protests that erupted over chronic power outages and water shortages. The demonstrations, which turned confrontational, brought hundreds of citizens to the streets expressing their frustration with ongoing electricity cuts that regularly leave homes and businesses powerless for more than 12 hours at a time.

In a response to the unrest, police deployed rubber bullets and tear gas in an effort to control the crowds. Protesters took action by barricading roads with rocks and burning tires, and reports emerged of lootings at various establishments, including banks and retail stores, within the city of approximately 1.4 million residents. Additionally, several infrastructure projects, including new stations for the city’s cable car system, were targeted, resulting in significant damage.

Local media reported that the homes of several politicians associated with President Andry Rajoelina were also attacked during the demonstrations. The authorities had preemptively barred public gathering, citing potential risks to public safety, prompting an increased presence of security forces throughout the capital.

General Angelo Ravelonarivo, who oversees a joint security organization that combines police and military efforts, addressed the media, noting that while the protests were largely aimed at expressing legitimate grievances, some individuals had taken the opportunity to vandalize property. To safeguard the community and its assets, a curfew has been implemented starting at 7 PM and lasting until 5 AM, with the aim of restoring public order.

Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, faces significant economic challenges, and many observers attribute these struggles to shortcomings in the governance of Rajoelina, who secured reelection in 2023. Current estimates suggest that as many as 75 percent of Madagascar’s estimated 30 million inhabitants live below the poverty line, a figure highlighted by the World Bank in 2022.

Protesters displayed messages advocating for their fundamental rights, underscoring the importance of access to basic human necessities like water and electricity. The movement, primarily driven by youth activism, has notably gained momentum through social media platforms such as Facebook, signaling a shift in public engagement and civil discourse.

As unrest continues across various provinces, protesters have also targeted the national water and electricity company, perceived by many as a significant contributor to the nation’s ongoing crises.

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