Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina, has appointed Army General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the country’s new Prime Minister, following the dissolution of the previous government amid mounting public protests over widespread power and water shortages. The appointment, announced on Monday, October 6, 2025, marks a decisive move by the president to restore stability in the face of growing discontent and escalating demonstrations that have rocked the island nation for weeks.
General Zafisambo succeeds former Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, who was dismissed last week as part of Rajoelina’s sweeping government overhaul. Before his elevation to the premiership, Zafisambo served as the Director of the Military Cabinet in the Prime Minister’s Office, a position that placed him at the heart of the government’s security and administrative operations.
In announcing the appointment, President Rajoelina emphasized the urgent need for leadership capable of addressing the nation’s most pressing crises. He declared that the country required a “prime minister capable of restoring order and the people’s trust.” The president added that General Zafisambo’s immediate task would be to stabilize essential public services, with a specific focus on reinstating reliable electricity and water supply across major urban centers.
The decision came as demonstrators returned to the streets of Antananarivo and other cities on Monday, marking the third consecutive week of protests. The unrest, which initially began as a public outcry over erratic utilities, has evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations demanding transparency, accountability, and even President Rajoelina’s resignation.
According to eyewitnesses, police forces deployed in the capital used tear gas to disperse crowds of demonstrators. Many of those involved were university students, some of whom have been rallying since last month to voice their frustrations over unemployment, inflation, and poor governance. A Reuters correspondent confirmed that security forces clashed with protesters in several locations throughout the city.
The protests have drawn inspiration from similar youth-led movements in Kenya and Nepal, popularly dubbed the “Gen Z” protests, which have mobilized thousands of young people through social media. Observers describe the current demonstrations as the most significant wave of civil unrest Madagascar has witnessed in recent years, revealing deep public resentment over persistent poverty, widespread corruption, and deteriorating living conditions.
Local television stations broadcast footage on Monday showing confrontations between protesters and police officers in the southern city of Toliara as well as in the northern port city of Diego Suarez. Despite its rich deposits of minerals, vast agricultural potential, and unique biodiversity, Madagascar remains one of the world’s poorest nations. Economic reports indicate that the country’s per capita income has fallen by about 45% since gaining independence from France in 1960, underscoring the long-standing challenges of underdevelopment and governance failures.
The United Nations recently reported that at least 22 people had been killed and over 100 others injured during the early stages of the unrest—a figure the Malagasy government has since disputed. Human rights groups have accused security forces of using excessive force to quell demonstrations, while the government maintains that its response has been measured and necessary to maintain public order.
In a speech delivered on Friday, President Rajoelina stated that he was “ready to listen to the protesters’ grievances” but stopped short of addressing widespread calls for his resignation. He acknowledged that the country faced serious challenges but reaffirmed his commitment to steering Madagascar toward economic recovery and social stability.
A spokesperson for the president’s office told Reuters over the weekend that the protest movement was being “exploited by political actors who are seeking to destabilize the country.” The spokesperson added, “President Rajoelina remains committed to dialogue, to accelerating solutions that improve people’s daily lives.”
Meanwhile, the presidency revealed in a separate statement on Monday, October 7, 2025, that President Rajoelina met with several civil society organizations on Saturday to discuss possible paths forward. However, details of the meeting were not made public. Other civic groups, however, refused to participate, arguing that the government had failed to guarantee the right to peaceful protest or the release of detained demonstrators.
As Madagascar enters a critical juncture, the appointment of General Zafisambo is seen as both a strategic and symbolic gesture, an attempt to restore authority while addressing the grievances of a restless population. Whether this military-backed leadership transition will succeed in calming tensions or further inflame public outrage remains to be seen.
