AP News: In Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina was ousted following weeks of youth-led protests sparked by issues such as poverty and power outages. After Parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who fled the country, the military announced its intention to form a council and appoint a prime minister. The military suspended the constitution, and a referendum is expected to take place in two years. Despite Rajoelina’s attempts to dissolve parliament, lawmakers moved forward with the impeachment, leading to the current political upheaval.
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Over the weekend, youth-led demonstrations erupted in numerous Moroccan cities, marking some of the largest anti-government protests in years. Protesters voiced strong disapproval of government priorities, specifically criticizing investments in international sporting events while neglecting healthcare and education. Security forces responded with arrests in several cities, with the Moroccan Association for Human Rights reporting over 120 arrests. The protests, largely organized via social media by a leaderless movement, were fueled by anger over declining public services, and inspired by similar youth-led movements.
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Following youth-led protests sparked by water and power shortages that have resulted in at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina dissolved the government. The demonstrations, inspired by similar movements in Kenya and Nepal, represent the largest challenge Rajoelina has faced since his 2023 re-election. Rajoelina has apologized for the government’s shortcomings and announced a call for applications for a new premier, while also promising measures to address business disruptions and create space for dialogue with the youth. The UN has cited a “violent response” by security forces as contributing to the fatalities, while the government disputes the UN’s casualty figures.
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John Q. Hosedrinker