Authorities in Madagascar have enforced a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Antananarivo after protests against worsening water shortages and frequent power outages spiraled into violence. The capital city saw thousands of demonstrators, mainly young people, march through the streets demanding reliable electricity and water supplies. Many carried placards and shouted slogans such as, “We need water, we need electricity,” defying a prior police ban on public demonstrations.
Security forces responded with tear gas to disperse the crowds. According to witnesses, protests escalated with looting and vandalism. A major shopping mall in the city was looted before being set on fire, and the homes of two lawmakers were also ransacked. General Angelo Ravelonarivo, head of the joint police-military security body, stated on local Real TV that certain individuals had taken advantage of the unrest to commit acts of destruction. To safeguard residents and their property, security forces imposed a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., effective until public order is restored.
Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, has long struggled with poverty and infrastructure challenges. Many citizens blame President Andry Rajoelina’s administration for failing to improve living conditions since his re-election in 2023. The power and water shortages have fueled frustration, sparking a wave of protests that continue to spread across different neighborhoods of Antananarivo.
Security officials have warned against further unrest. On Wednesday, national police chief Jean Herbert Andriantahiana Rakotomalala cautioned that authorities would take strict preventive measures against anyone attempting to defy the law. However, by Thursday, the demonstrations had already escalated beyond control, highlighting growing discontent in the country.
The government now faces increasing pressure to restore essential services and address the grievances of citizens demanding basic necessities, as Madagascar grapples with rising instability amid its ongoing economic challenges.