Antananarivo, Oct 8, (dpa/GNA) – Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, has appointed a new prime minister from the previous government’s inner circle in an effort to quell violent youth protests.
General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo is tasked with forming a new Cabinet to restore trust in the government, Rajoelina said in a televised address on Tuesday.
Last week, the president dismissed his government, in response to the ongoing protests.
The appointment of Zafisambo is hardly a sign of political renewal, as the general previously served as the military chief of staff in the Cabinet of the recently dismissed prime minister, Christian Ntsay, making him part of the inner circle of the former administration.
In his address, Rajoelina repeatedly emphasized that restoring public order was the government’s top priority.
For nearly two weeks, tens of thousands of young people from Generation Z, known as Gen Z, have been protesting in the south-east African island nation against power and water outages, deficiencies in the education system, high unemployment and widespread poverty.
People born between 1997 and 2010 are considered part of Gen Z.
Gen Z demonstrations in Nepal, where the prime minister resigned in early September following protests and severe unrest, serve as an example.
Madagascan security forces have repeatedly used tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets and blank rounds to disperse the crowds. This has led to violent clashes between protesters and police, as well as looting.
According to UN figures, at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured. The government has rejected these figures.
GNA