By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Rajoelina Pledges to Fix Madagascar’s Woes in One Year or Resign
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has vowed to resolve the country’s mounting crises within one year or step down from office, in a bold pledge aimed at restoring public trust amid growing discontent and protests led by young activists.
Rajoelina made the declaration during a town-hall-style meeting at his presidential palace in Antananarivo, where he met with various groups of government supporters and civic representatives. The meeting, part of his new “listening tour,” was designed to foster open dialogue with citizens frustrated by worsening living conditions.
“I don’t want flattery. I want to hear the truth,” Rajoelina told the crowd. “It’s the people who kept telling me that everything was fine who are responsible for our current situation.”
The embattled president, who first rose to power in 2009 after leading mass protests that toppled then-President Marc Ravalomanana, is now facing the kind of unrest that once propelled him into office. Demonstrations have rocked the capital since late September, initially sparked by anger over persistent electricity and water shortages. The movement has since grown into a broader outcry against corruption, unemployment, and the spiraling cost of living.
Rajoelina promised that ongoing power projects would soon ease the energy crisis, pledging to add 265 megawatts to the national grid within the next year. “I swear that if power cuts persist in the capital within a year, I will resign,” he declared to applause from the audience.
However, the president’s promise has done little to calm the youth-led protest movement known as Gen Z Mada, which has been at the forefront of nationwide demonstrations. The group rejected Rajoelina’s invitation to join the talks, accusing his government of repression and brutality.
“We refuse the president’s invitation to talks,” Gen Z Mada wrote on its Facebook page. “We will not engage in dialogue with a regime that represses, assaults, and humiliates its youth in the streets.”
The movement has called for fresh demonstrations on Thursday, signaling that tensions are far from over. At least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured in clashes between protesters and security forces, according to United Nations reports—figures the government has disputed.
Last week, in a dramatic bid to reassert control, Rajoelina dismissed his entire cabinet and appointed an army general as the new prime minister. The move was widely seen as an attempt to stabilize the government, but protesters dismissed it as a cosmetic change. “We will continue our struggle until he resigns,” Gen Z Mada leaders said in response.
Despite the unrest, daily life in much of Antananarivo has continued, though certain neighborhoods remain under heavy police surveillance, with roadblocks and security patrols restricting movement. Analysts say the president’s strategy of direct engagement with supporters is an effort to counter the growing influence of the protest movement while projecting an image of accountability.
Rajoelina’s call for honesty and dialogue contrasts sharply with the accusations leveled against his administration. Critics say his government has become increasingly authoritarian, using police crackdowns to silence dissent and censor activists.
Nonetheless, some observers believe his willingness to stake his presidency on solving the power crisis could mark a turning point. “It’s a high-risk gamble,” said one political analyst in Antananarivo. “If he succeeds, it may restore some public confidence. But if the problems persist, this could be the beginning of the end for his leadership.”
For now, the president remains defiant, urging unity and patience. “The challenges facing Madagascar cannot be solved through protests,” Rajoelina said. “They can only be overcome through sincere dialogue and hard work.”
As the one-year countdown begins, many citizens remain skeptical but cautiously hopeful. For a nation weary of unfulfilled promises, Rajoelina’s pledge may either revive his credibility—or seal his political fate.
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