Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has dismissed the country’s energy minister in a bid to quell growing unrest sparked by persistent daily power outages exceeding 12 hours, plunging homes and businesses into darkness. The move follows intense public protests demanding urgent government action to address crippling electricity and water shortages that have severely impacted daily life.

Citizens accuse Rajoelina’s administration of failing to improve living conditions, fueling frustration among Madagascar’s population. “The energy minister was not doing his job,” President Rajoelina acknowledged, though he firmly condemned the violence and looting that marred the demonstrations. Protesters, largely young people, had taken to the streets in Antananarivo and other cities chanting “We need water, we need electricity,” as frustration boiled over.

The protests turned deadly, with reports indicating five protesters lost their lives in the violence, according to a hospital source, although AFP couldn’t independently verify the toll with official sources. Authorities responded with force, deploying rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds, amidst scenes of destruction. Banks and shops were looted and torched; homes of three pro-government lawmakers were also attacked. Symbolically, a station of Antananarivo’s new cable car system – a flagship government project – was set ablaze.

In response to escalating unrest, authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital and extended it to four other major cities: Antsiranana, Majunga, Toliara, and Antsirabe. Foreign embassies, including France and the UK, warned citizens to avoid non-essential travel, anticipating further disorder.

The African Union has appealed for calm, urging dialogue to resolve Madagascar’s deepening crisis as protests enter their third day. “Madagascar cannot continue to suffer such failures in basic services,” President Rajoelina stated in a televised address, branding the unrest “acts of destabilisation”.

Organizers called for peaceful demonstrations to continue Saturday, distancing themselves from Thursday’s violence. As tensions grip Madagascar, citizens and observers alike wonder if Rajoelina’s move will suffice to restore stability and address the nation’s dire energy and water woes.