Madagascar President Rajoelina Gives One-Year Ultimatum, Vows to Resign If Crises Persist
President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar has announced he will resign within a year if his government fails to resolve the country’s worsening power outages, water shortages, and economic instability.
The pledge was made during a town-hall style meeting at the presidential palace in Antananarivo, where he responded to questions from supporters amid growing public frustration.
Rajoelina assured attendees that ongoing energy projects would inject 265 megawatts into the national grid, aiming to end the recurring blackouts.
He made his position clear, stating,“If power cuts persist in the capital within a year, I will resign.”
He also criticized former advisors for misrepresenting the country’s condition, saying, “I don’t want flattery. I want to hear the truth.
“It’s the people who kept telling me that everything was fine who are responsible for our current situation.”
The meeting was part of the president’s renewed effort to “listen more” and engage citizens directly.
However, the youth-led protest movement Gen Z Mada rejected his invitation to dialogue, accusing the government of repression and brutality.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the group said,
“We refuse the president’s invitation to talks. We will not engage in dialogue with a regime that represses, assaults, and humiliates its youth in the streets.”
Following the expiry of their 48-hour ultimatum for Rajoelina to resign, they called for a nationwide strike, although specific details remain unclear.
According to BBC, the protests began on 25 September, initially triggered by anger over persistent power and water shortages.
They have since evolved into broader demands for action on corruption, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.
In response, Rajoelina dismissed his entire cabinet last week and appointed Army General Richard Rakotonirina as prime minister — a move Gen Z Mada swiftly rejected as superficial and symbolic.
Despite the unrest, daily life in most parts of Antananarivo continues, although some neighborhoods remain under heavy police surveillance.
The United Nations estimates that at least 22 people have died and dozens more have been injured in clashes with security forces, though the government disputes these figures.
Rajoelina, who first rose to power in 2009 after leading mass protests that ousted then-President Marc Ravalomanana, now faces a defining test of leadership.
Gen Z Mada has vowed to continue mobilizing support across the country, declaring that “the Malagasy people do not submit.”
With public trust eroding and pressure mounting, the next twelve months could determine not only Rajoelina’s political future — but the direction of the nation itself.
