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Fighting for daily bread: Traders suffer from Madagascar's unrest
In Antananarivo, young people are protesting against government failures, demanding better living conditions and the resignation of President Rajoelina.
Fighting for daily bread: Traders suffer from Madagascar's unrest
There's a lot going on in Madagascar. On October 4, 2025, two new demonstrations took place in the capital Antananarivo: one by Gen Z and one pro-President Andry Rajoelina. The situation on site is tense as the traders' living conditions have deteriorated rapidly. The fear of violent clashes forces traders to pack up their goods and barricade themselves la1ere.franceinfo.fr reported. Paul, a florist at the Anosy market, reports a noticeable decline in his customers. In general, trading takes place mainly in the morning, because as soon as darkness falls, people prefer to go home for fear of conflict.
The protests, which began on September 25, were initially a response to ongoing power outages and water shortages. However, they have since expanded significantly and represent one of the biggest challenges to the government since Rajoelina's re-election in 2023. Rajoelina recently dissolved the government, further fueling protests as citizens increasingly call for the president to step down. The pressure is growing, and accordingly africanews.com calls for the dismissal of the prime minister and the entire cabinet.
Political unrest and violence
The situation continues to escalate: security forces use tear gas and rubber bullets against the demonstrators. According to the UN, at least 22 people have died and over 100 have been injured since the protests began. Reports of violent clashes and looting are increasing the unrest. Rajoelina has imposed a nighttime curfew in Antananarivo and other major cities to combat the protests. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk has expressed concern about the brutal response by security forces, as the opposition tries to concentrate the voice of the disaffected, as tagesschau.de reported.
The economic consequences of the protests should not be underestimated. Rajoelina herself estimated the economic losses of the first two days of demonstrations at around 200 billion ariary, which is equivalent to about 38 million euros. Traders like Tatiana report significant losses, and even during the wedding season there are hardly any customers. The booming sales period is therefore at great risk since political tensions have gotten out of hand.
A look at the future
While the president shows understanding for the families of the victims and apologizes for his government's shortcomings, the protesters' core demand remains that he resign. One Gen Z protester summed it up well: The president must resign to bring back peace. Given that almost 75% of the population lives below the poverty line, people's anger is understandable.
The social tensions in Madagascar are not only a political challenge, but also a social issue that is leading to a profound discussion about living conditions in the country. Antananarivo is under strict surveillance and the city's image has changed dramatically in recent days - a city on alert as its citizens fight for a better life.