Madagascar’s newly appointed Prime Minister, General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo, on Friday condemned what he described as the “excessive use of force” by both security personnel and protesters, following three weeks of anti-government demonstrations across the island nation.
Protesters have blocked roads with rocks and, in some instances, thrown stones at security forces, who have responded with rounds of tear gas. One woman told Reuters that her husband’s death on September 25 — after being shot while closing his shop — had been “entirely preventable.”
Initially triggered by widespread water and electricity shortages, the demonstrations have since grown into calls for President Andry Rajoelina to resign, apologise to the nation, and dissolve both the Senate and the election commission.
According to the United Nations, at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the early days of the protests — figures the government disputes. President Rajoelina has acknowledged 12 deaths, claiming most of the victims were looters.
On Friday, hundreds of protesters again marched through the capital, Antananarivo, renewing demands for Rajoelina’s resignation.
“We firmly condemn all excesses, and we totally condemn the excessive use of force among Malagasy people. Malagasy values, our sense of solidarity and brotherhood, must prevail — whether within the military or among the protesters,” Zafisambo said in response to criticism of the security forces’ conduct.
The UN Office on Human Rights also urged security forces to avoid unnecessary violence. “We’re receiving troubling reports of continued violence against protesters by the gendarmerie, particularly in Antananarivo,” the agency posted on X.
President Rajoelina appointed Zafisambo and a new defence and security minister last week after dissolving the previous government. On Wednesday, Rajoelina said he was willing to step down if he failed to resolve the country’s chronic power issues within a year.
The unrest comes at a difficult time for Madagascar’s export-driven economy, which relies heavily on vanilla, nickel, cobalt, textiles, and shrimp. A planned nationwide strike on Thursday drew little participation, but businesses report that curfews and disruptions caused by the protests have worsened already dire economic conditions.
Source:Africa Publicity
