Madagascar President Fires Energy Minister Amid Widespread Protests Over Water and Electricity Cuts Madagascar in Crisis: President Sacks Energy Minister as Protests Over Utility Cuts Escalate In a dramatic move to quell escalating public fury, Madagascar’s president has dismissed the country’s energy minister following days of violent protests triggered by severe water and electricity shortages. The announcement came just hours after a second consecutive night-time curfew was imposed on the capital, Antananarivo, a city reeling from widespread looting and civil unrest. A Capital Under Siege: Curfews and Chaos The streets of Antananarivo, normally bustling with life, have become a tableau of tension and desperation. The government’s decision to implement a second nightly curfew underscores the severity of the crisis. This drastic measure follows a night of chaos where reports of looting and clashes between citizens and security forces painted a grim picture of a nation pushed to the brink. But what drives such profound discontent? The answer lies in the most basic elements of modern life: access to water and light. For weeks, residents of the capital and other regions have endured rolling blackouts and dry taps. These aren’t mere inconveniences; they are existential threats. Hospitals struggle to power life-saving equipment, businesses shutter, and families are left in the dark, both literally and figuratively. The protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations, have morphed into a potent symbol of the deep-seated frustration with a government perceived as unable to provide fundamental services. The sacking of the minister is a clear, if desperate, attempt to placate an angry populace. The Spark That Lit the Fuse: Dismissal of a Minister The president’s announcement on Friday, firing the Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons, was a direct response to the growing unrest. It is a classic political maneuver—offering a scalp to appease the masses. Yet, the question remains: is removing one official enough to solve a systemic failure? Critics argue that the problem runs deeper than any single cabinet position, pointing to chronic underinvestment, aging infrastructure, and alleged mismanagement within the national utility company, Jirama. The now-dismissed minister presided over a sector in perpetual crisis. Madagascar’s energy grid is notoriously fragile, heavily reliant on hydroelectric power that is vulnerable to drought. When the rains fail, as they often do, the power follows. This cyclical problem has been exacerbated by a lack of investment in alternative energy sources and infrastructure maintenance. The water cuts are part of the same complex web of infrastructural decay and resource management failures. By dismissing the minister, the presidency is signaling that it hears the people’s anger, but the fundamental challenges require more than a change of personnel. Beyond the Headlines: The Human Cost of Utility Poverty To understand the fury on the streets, one must look beyond the political drama and into the homes of ordinary Malagasies. Imagine a mother unable to sterilize water for her infant because the taps have been dry for days. Picture a student unable to study after sunset because the electricity has been cut off for hours. Consider the small shop owner watching their perishable goods spoil in a powerless refrigerator. This is the daily reality fueling the protests. This “utility poverty” has a cascading effect on public health, education, and the economy. The World Bank has repeatedly highlighted the critical link between reliable infrastructure and economic development—a link that is currently broken in Madagascar. The protests are not just about comfort; they are a cry for dignity and a functional state. The looting, while condemnable, is also a symptom of sheer desperation, a breakdown of social order when the social contract feels void. A Nation on Edge: What Comes Next? With protesters calling for a new demonstration on Saturday, the situation remains highly volatile. The government is walking a tightrope, trying to restore order through curfews while attempting to address the root causes of the discontent. The dismissal of the minister is a first step, but it is unlikely to be the last. The international community is watching closely. Madagascar is no stranger to political instability, and this crisis threatens to undo fragile economic gains. The key questions now are: Will the new leadership in the energy ministry be able to enact meaningful reforms quickly? Can the government secure the funding and expertise needed to overhaul the nation’s crumbling utilities? And most importantly, will the people of Madagascar be patient enough to wait for solutions that have been promised for years? The coming days will be critical. The success of any future demonstration and the government’s response will set the tone for the nation’s immediate future. A heavy-handed crackdown could inflame tensions further, while a genuine dialogue and a clear, actionable plan to fix the water and power crises could offer a path toward de-escalation. The world watches as Madagascar stands at a crossroads, its future stability hanging in the balance, dictated by the most basic human needs. Source: France 24
2025-09-26