A contingent of soldiers joined thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Madagascar on Saturday, urging fellow security forces to “refuse orders to shoot” amid a third week of youth-led protests shaking the Indian Ocean nation.
Marchers in Antananarivo rallied against soaring living costs, rolling power and water cuts, and what they call heavy-handed policing. The rare appearance of uniformed personnel alongside protesters amplified calls for restraint after clashes in recent days.
In a brief video address Saturday night, newly appointed Prime Minister Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo said the government was “standing strong” but “ready to collaborate and listen to all forces — the youth, trade unions, and the military.” He warned that “Madagascar will not be able to withstand any further crises if this division among the people continues.”
The protests, largely organized by Gen-Z activists and students, have repeatedly attempted to converge on central squares but were pushed back by security cordons. Demonstrators accuse authorities of allowing pro-government gatherings while blocking opposition-leaning rallies and decry what they say are disproportionate tactics by police.
President Andry Rajoelina this week dismissed his cabinet and called for dialogue, while rejecting demands to resign. Street unrest and a tightening economy have deepened political uncertainty, with business groups warning of mounting losses and aid agencies urging calm.
Saturday’s appeal from within the ranks places additional pressure on the security apparatus as the government seeks to restore order without further inflaming tensions. Zafisambo’s pledge to consult widely sets the stage for a test of whether dialogue can defuse anger—or whether the movement will harden if protesters see little change on the ground.
