Deadly protests erupt in Madagascar over chronic power, water shortages

Widespread anger over persistent water and electricity shortages has ignited deadly unrest in Madagascar, prompting authorities to impose a night-time curfew in the capital city of Antananarivo. Hospital sources confirmed that at least five people were killed during mass protests on September 25.

Despite the curfew, which runs from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will remain in place “until public order is restored,” demonstrators continued their defiance by erecting barricades of burning tires and rubbish, ransacking shops, and attacking cable car stations as the unrest spread across the city, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Loud blasts were heard near the city center until about 2 a.m. on September 26, with a strong smell of smoke lingering in the air. In response to escalating violence, schools throughout Antananarivo and surrounding districts were closed, with closures extending to the city of Antsirabé, where clashes have also erupted.

September 25 protests, which began as peaceful marches against frequent power outages and water shortages, were met with heavy-handed police tactics including tear gas and rubber bullets. What started as demonstrations against basic utility failures quickly evolved into one of the most significant challenges faced by President Andry Rajoelina in years.

Hundreds of protesters attempted to gather at central Ambohijatovo Square despite an official government ban on public assemblies but were blocked by heavy security forces. In response, demonstrators split into smaller groups to circumvent police cordons, waving banners condemning the outages and accusing the government of failing to uphold fundamental rights.

Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as masked officers charged into the crowds. Two lawmakers, including Senator Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy—a former minister and vocal supporter of Rajoelina—had their homes vandalized amid the chaos. The addresses of pro-government figures were widely circulated on social media amid massive online mobilization.While most social media posts called for peaceful protests, some included calls to “target” officials or even provided DIY guides for making explosives. Security forces allege that criminal elements are exploiting the unrest to destroy property, while some legislators have sought to portray the protests as a politically motivated coup attempt.

Ahead of the protests, 13 of 18 senators condemned what they termed an “attempted coup d’état” by opposition forces. Meanwhile, President Rajoelina has yet to publicly address the crisis; having recently spoken at the UN General Assembly in New York, his return to Madagascar remains uncertain.

Rajoelina first came to power through a coup in 2009 before winning presidential elections in 2018 and 2023. Despite these political shifts, chronic infrastructure failures persist: only about one-third of Madagascar’s 30 million citizens have access to electricity, with power cuts often lasting more than eight hours daily.

At the core of the crisis is Jirama, the state-owned utility company, whose poor governance has fueled months of protests outside its Antananarivo headquarters. Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest nations, sees 75 percent of its population living below the poverty line. Meanwhile, Jirama consumes nearly 10 percent of the government’s revenue, with critics blaming rampant mismanagement and corruption for its ongoing failures.

By Vafa Guliyeva