Anger over chronic water and electricity shortages has exploded into deadly unrest in Madagascar, prompting a night-time curfew in the capital. At least five people were killed in mass protests in Antananarivo on Thursday, hospital sources said.The protests were triggered by continuous power interruptions that frequently leave homes and businesses without electricity for over twelve hours at a time
On Thursday, this long-simmering frustration erupted as numerous demonstrators flooded the streets of Antananarivo.
They expressed their anger by obstructing roads with burning tires and stones, bringing parts of the city to a standstill.
Messages on placards, such as “Water and electricity are basic human needs” and “Let us speak out,” underscored the core grievances of the population.
Escalation to looting and arson
By Thursday afternoon, the initially peaceful demonstrations took a destructive turn.
Reports confirmed incidents of looting at various retailers, appliance shops, and banks throughout the capital.
In a symbolic attack on infrastructure, several stations of the country’s newly established cable car system were set ablaze.
The unrest was not confined to the capital; similar disturbances were reported at the offices of the national water and electricity company (Jirama) in other provinces, an institution many protesters blame for the nation’s utility failures.
