US EditionMadagascar President Appoints Army General as Prime Minister in Bid to Defuse Protests
General Ruphin Zafisambo replaces Christian Ntsay to address protests sparked by power outages and water shortages amid widespread poverty affecting nearly 75% of Madagascar's population, World Bank says.
- On Monday, President Andry Rajoelina selected army officer Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo to serve as Madagascar’s new prime minister during a ceremony at the Lavoloha Presidential Palace in Antananarivo.
- The appointment followed the government's dissolution on September 29 after persistent anti-government protests over widespread power outages and water shortages in major cities.
- Protests, many youth-led and inspired by 'Gen Z' movements abroad, entered a third week and escalated despite security forces dispersing crowds with tear gas.
- According to the United Nations, at least 22 people died and over 100 were wounded, though authorities dispute these figures, while nearly three-quarters of Madagascar’s 32 million people lived below the poverty line in 2022.
- Rajoelina declared that Zafisambo’s main priority would be rapid restoration of water and electricity, but demonstrations calling for his resignation continue.
41 Articles
41 Articles
In Madagascar, President Rajoelina has appointed a new Prime Minister in the light of the protests against the government that have been ongoing for days.
The new head of government, Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo is a general of the army largely unknown to the general public.
Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina appointed a military prime minister on Monday to try to put an end to a political crisis that is going on, especially in the street where his security forces have dispersed even more than a thousand demonstrators in Antananarivo, causing at least one injured. ...
Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina announced on Monday evening 6 October the appointment of Major General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as Prime Minister to restore public order and confidence.
As the dispute swells in Madagascar, the appointment of a little-known general at the head of the government raises questions and hopes in a tense capital.
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