Description: Malagasy police forces fired rubber bullets, targeted protesters with tear gas and detained several protesters in the latest day of demonstrations in Madagascar. The Gen Z Mada movement firmly rejected President Rajoelina’s calls for negotiations and pledges to resolve the crisis within a year and reconfirmed their demands for him to step down. Rajoelina in the meantime attempted appeasing the demonstrators through cabinet reshuffles, appointment of a new Prime Minister and calls for direct negotiations with his cabinet. The protests in the last couple of days, despite being persistent, have downsized in numbers which prompted Rajoelina to further reject the option to resign.
Impact: The political and civil crisis in Madagascar would continue to escalate despite the reduced number of protesters in the latest demonstrations. President Rajoelina has been politically and governmentally delegitimized by the Malagasy civil society and youth population, and he would be under increased pressure to resign in the upcoming period. None of the temporary measures to avoid the possible resignation seem to be working which would further embolden the demonstrators to escalate demonstrations and expand the list of demands that need to be addressed in order for the crisis to be resolved. The African island country is facing growing energy supply and water crisis while its economy would continue to further deteriorate amid the civil unrest.