Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina is set to make a live address on his Facebook page today, as the country grapples with widespread protests sparked by deteriorating living conditions, particularly frequent power outages and water shortages.
The protests, inspired by similar youth-led movements in Kenya and Nepal, have turned deadly, with the UN reporting at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries.
In an attempt to quell public anger, Rajoelina dissolved his government late Monday, but the move has done little to address the grievances.
The president has since met with various groups to discuss the situation, expressing understanding of the anger and difficulties caused by the outages.
The protests have resulted in significant disruptions, including looting at supermarkets and appliance shops, and attacks on politicians’ homes.