President Michael Randrianirina Dissolves Madagascar’s Government Amid Rising Youth Protests and Economic Instability

President Michael Randrianirina dismisses Madagascar's PM and cabinet amid youth protests and economic crisis, promising new appointments for the 2027 transition.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 4:40 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Anadolu Agency

A Sudden Purge of the Malagasy Leadership

Madagascar's President Michael Randrianirina has taken the dramatic step of dissolving his entire government, removing Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo and all sitting ministers from their posts. The announcement, delivered on Monday by presidential communications director Harry Laurent Rahajason, did not provide a specific official reason for the mass dismissal. However, the move signals a sharp pivot in the administration of the Indian Ocean island nation, which has been under Randrianirina's control since he assumed power last October. The presidency has stated that the head of state will shortly begin the process of selecting a new prime minister to stabilize the executive branch.

Mounting Pressure From Gen Y and Gen Z Movements

While the presidency remained silent on the exact triggers for the purge, local reports from L'Express de Madagascar suggest the decision was heavily influenced by escalating public dissatisfaction. Members of prominent youth movements, specifically Gen Y and Gen Z, had recently intensified their calls for the resignation of the prime minister and several key ministers. These groups have accused the Rajaonarivelo administration of being largely ineffective in addressing the country's systemic issues. Critics within the capital of Antananarivo have argued that the dismissed prime minister failed to fully execute his duties as head of the administration during a period of critical transition.

Economic Stagnation and Lowered Growth Forecasts

The cabinet’s removal comes at a time of profound economic uncertainty for Madagascar, one of the world's poorest nations. Economic analysts have recently lowered the country's growth forecast for the 2025–2026 period to approximately 3 percent, a significant drop from the previously projected 4.1 percent. This slowdown is largely attributed to persistent infrastructure failures, including chronic water and power shortages that have plagued the population for years. The inability of the previous cabinet to manage these basic services appears to have reached a breaking point, necessitating a complete overhaul of the government’s leadership structure.