Madagascar's President Rajoelina Appoints Army General as Prime Minister Amidst Protests
In an effort to quell escalating tensions, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has appointed an army general, Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo, as the new Prime Minister. The appointment, made on Monday, October 6, 2025, comes amidst widespread protests against the government.
A Move to Restore Order and Trust
President Rajoelina stated that the selection of General Zafisambo aims to "restore order and trust" within the country. The president has given the new Prime Minister a six-month probationary period, indicating that his continued tenure will depend on his success in addressing the current crisis. The protests initially sparked by frustrations over water and electricity cuts, quickly evolved into demands for the president's resignation.
- The protests were initiated by the Gen Z movement.
- Protesters are demanding an end to water and electricity cuts.
- Many are now calling for President Rajoelina's resignation.
Public Reaction and the Ongoing Crisis
While Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo is relatively unknown to the general public, reports indicate he previously served as the military chief of staff for former Prime Minister Christian Ntsay. The protests, ongoing since September 25, 2025, have led to the dismissal of the previous government. The Gen Z movement has issued a 48-hour "ultimatum" to the president to meet their demands, threatening further action if their concerns are not addressed.
Details of the Protests and Government Response
The protests, which began due to power outages and water shortages, have seen demonstrators clashing with security forces in Antananarivo. Security forces dispersed over a thousand protesters. Protesters have burned tires in the city of Toliara. Despite President Rajoelina's attempts to engage with various sectors of society, protesters, like 21-year-old Tommy Fanomezantsoa, remain skeptical and demand tangible action to address the population's grievances. The president acknowledged having "learned a great lesson" and pledged to focus on the people's problems, identifying poverty, corruption, and abuse of power as the primary enemies.
Seeking Mediation and a Path Forward
With the political crisis deepening, the Council chrétien des Églises de Madagascar (FFKM) has offered to mediate between the government and the protesters. The appointment of a military figure as Prime Minister is viewed by some as a measure of last resort by President Rajoelina to stabilize the country. It remains to be seen if this move will successfully quell the unrest and address the underlying issues fueling the protests.
