Army General named as Madagascar PM to quell Gen Z protests

Madagascar’s embattled President Andry Rajoelina has appointed an Army General as the country’s new Prime Minister in a bid to end youth-led protests against his rule.

He said the nation needed a Premier “capable of restoring order and the people’s trust” before naming Gen Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo to the post.

Coming days after the President expressed fears of a coup attempt, the General’s appointment marks a significant militarisation of the government and appears to be an attempt by Rajoelina to secure the army’s backing at a time of heightened tensions.

The protest movement, known as Gen Z Mada, rejected Gen Zafisambo’s appointment, and gave Rajoelina 48 hours to resign.

“As long as Rajoelina remains in power we will continue the struggle,” Gen Z Mada said in a statement.

The protests began on 25 September, triggered by public anger over repeated water and power cuts and have since morphed into wider dissatisfaction over corruption, high unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis.

Last week, Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, a civilian, and his entire cabinet in an attempt to placate the protesters.

In a declaration at the Presidential Palace Rajoelina announced the appointment of Gen Zafisambo, saying the Prime Minister needed to be “someone clean” and “ready to save Madagascar”.

Gen Zafisambo was the Director of the military cabinet in the Prime Minister’s office until this appointment.