Madagascar Protests Escalate as youth Demand Relief from Power and Water Crisis
ANTANANARIVO,Madagascar – Demonstrations erupted across Madagascar this week,fueled by widespread discontent over chronic shortages of electricity and water,prompting the government to release the Minister of Energy and issue condemnations of looting and violence. Protests began as a response to soaring costs of living and a perceived lack of government action to address the island nation’s infrastructure failings.
The unrest echoes suppression of protests in French overseas territories like Guadeloupe and Martinique, a connection activists highlight given Madagascar’s history as a French colony and France’s continued presence in the region. “Where people get up against injustice, the state answers with the stick rather of dialog. The same struggle, the same disregard, the same shame,” a representative of the protest movement stated.
President Andry Rajoelina, speaking from New York, acknowledged the demands of “the majority” but warned against “looting and violence.” Despite his statement and the release of Olivier Jean-Baptiste, the protests have not subsided.
At the heart of the crisis lies the inefficiency of Jirama, the state-owned electricity and water supplier. Plagued by outdated infrastructure, corruption, and mismanagement, Jirama’s pricing fails to cover operational costs, leading to frequent scandals – including the conviction of a former managing director.
Compounding the issue is a severe drought, the worst in forty years, impacting hydropower production, a important source of the country’s electricity. International aid agencies report escalating hunger in the south and east of the island.
The situation has prompted concern from foreign governments. The Chinese embassy advised its citizens to limit public appearances,while the U.S. embassy suspended consular activities on Monday in anticipation of further unrest.
Reporting by Dominic Johnson.
