Madagascar’s president on Friday dismissed Minister for Energy and Hydrocarbons Olivier Jean-Baptiste following massive protests over crippling power and water shortages, which have made life unbearable for many citizens.
The demonstrations turned violent, leading to widespread destruction of property.
Protesters expressed anger over persistent outages that leave homes and businesses without electricity for more than 12 hours a day in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Frustrated by the mass action, President Andry Rajoelina sacked the minister in a bid to calm citizens, but the move appeared insufficient to ease tensions.
Organisers of Friday’s protest urged those dissatisfied with Rajoelina’s government to “come in numbers” for a “peaceful demonstration” on Saturday, distancing themselves from the looting that reportedly took place on Thursday.
Some citizens accuse the government of failing to improve living conditions.
The unfortunate situation compelled Authorities to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew after banks and shops were robbed and set on fire, while the homes of three pro-government parliamentarians were torched.
Five protesters were killed in the violence, a hospital source told AFP.
In addition to the capital, authorities on Friday placed four other major cities—Antsiranana, Majunga, Toliara and Antsirabe—under an extended nighttime curfew.
One young activist, who returned to clean up a looted bookstore, said he had left before the unrest escalated but admitted that other youths might have been behind the destruction.
“Maybe they were frustrated. Maybe they were sent to break things. They’re already poor and have nothing. So they take what little they see,” he told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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