ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — In a calculated move to ease the country’s deepening political crisis, President Andry Rajoelina has appointed Army General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as Madagascar’s new Prime Minister, following weeks of youth-led anti-government protests that have shaken his administration’s grip on power.
The appointment, announced late on Sunday, October 6, 2025, comes barely a week after Rajoelina dissolved the cabinet of former Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, citing inefficiency and loss of public trust.
The reshuffle follows an explosion of public anger over erratic electricity supply, chronic water shortages, and widespread unemployment, issues that have drawn tens of thousands of demonstrators to the streets of major cities, including Antananarivo, Toamasina, and Toliara.
Rajoelina, who has faced mounting pressure since the Gen Z Madagascar movement began its marches in late September, described the new premier as “a man of discipline, service, and national stability.”
He added that the general’s primary task would be to “restore order and guarantee the resumption of essential services to every Malagasy citizen.”
However, the appointment of a career soldier to a political office has fueled mixed reactions. Opposition figures and civil society groups fear it signals a turn toward militarization rather than reform.
“Replacing a civilian premier with a general is a cosmetic fix to a structural crisis,” said Andry Rakotondrazaka, a political analyst based in Antananarivo. “The people are not protesting for new faces; they are demanding accountability and tangible improvement in their lives.”
The protests, now in their third week, began as peaceful rallies against prolonged blackouts but have since evolved into broader demands for President Rajoelina’s resignation.
Clashes between protesters and security forces have left at least 22 people dead and over 100 injured, according to human rights monitors, figures the government disputes. Eyewitnesses reported the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition in attempts to disperse crowds.
In a symbolic counter-effort, Rajoelina attempted to stage a pro-government rally in Antananarivo over the weekend.
The turnout, however, was strikingly low, a sign, observers say, of waning grassroots support. “He’s losing the battle for the streets,” wrote Le Monde, noting that even his loyalists appeared hesitant to mobilize in his defense.
General Zafisambo, who previously headed the military cabinet in the prime minister’s office, inherits a politically volatile landscape.
His first address promised “dialogue and security in equal measure,” but protesters remain unmoved. “We will not stop until the system changes,” declared Fanja, a 22-year-old student and one of the organizers of the Gen Z Madagascar movement.
Rajoelina’s political career, which began with a 2009 military-backed transition, has long been marked by tension between democratic ideals and authoritarian tendencies.
His re-election in 2023 was marred by allegations of electoral irregularities and accusations of consolidating power around loyal elites.
With the streets simmering and faith in government institutions waning, Zafisambo’s appointment appears less a reset than a gamble.
Whether the military’s intervention will bring calm or deepen divisions remains the defining question in Madagascar’s unfolding crisis.
